Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere Senior Sports Reporter
A NEW era for the Warriors has begun and Ramon Català has wasted little time in making his first statement.
The newly appointed Zimbabwe coach has unveiled his provisional squad for the opening two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, naming a 29-man group that combines experience, youth and a strong overseas presence.
Català’s first assignment will be anything but gentle.
Zimbabwe are set to face Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in their opening qualifiers, giving the Spanish coach an immediate test of his ability to build a competitive national side.
Rather than completely overhaul the squad, Català has gone for a blend of established Warriors and players pushing to make their mark at international level.
The squad includes Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi, Reading’s Andy Rinomhota and Scottland’s Abubakar Moffat, while Marvellous Nakamba also features in a midfield department packed with options.
Knowledge Musona’s inclusion adds further experience, with the veteran attacker returning to a squad that also contains a mixture of exciting younger players.
In goal, Català has selected Elvis Chipezeze, Nelson Chadya, Martin Mapisa and Marley Tavaziva.
The defence department is equally interesting, with Jordan Zemura, Divine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maodza, Sean Fusire, Brendan Galloway, Emmanuel Jalai, Kevin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa and Isaac Mabaya all receiving provisional call-ups.
Upfront, Català has several options at his disposal, including Tawanda Maswanhise, Prince Dube, Tino Kadewere, Thando Ngenya, Bill Antonio, Daniel Msendami, Ishmael Wadi and Junior Zindoga.
It is a squad that tells its own story.
There is experience in the likes of Munetsi, Nakamba, Musona and Kadewere, while players such as Antonio, Msendami, Maswanhise and Mabaya represent a generation eager to establish itself in the Warriors setup.
“I think it’s a really good squad that shows some element of continuity. That is what is needed, we hope and trust the the team will have a bright start in this Afcon campaign,” said local football pundit Dave Simba.
His sentiments were echoed by another local football enthusiast Muziwethu Hadebe.
“A good team a good pick from the coaches. Now it’s the time everyone to give the Warriors all the needed support. The team has experienced and youthful players. Let the boys go and fight,” said Hadebe
For Català, the challenge will now be turning that mixture into a team capable of competing against two formidable opponents.
The opening qualifiers will offer Zimbabwe’s new coach his first competitive opportunity to put his footballing philosophy into practice.
Friendly matches can provide room for experimentation, but competitive football demands results.
Català will therefore have to make some difficult decisions before the final squads are confirmed, with every player in the provisional group knowing that inclusion is only the beginning.
The coach will be looking closely at form, fitness, tactical suitability and how quickly his players can adapt to his methods.
The presence of a significant number of overseas-based players should also give Català an interesting foundation to work with. Zimbabwe’s diaspora has increasingly become an important source of talent for the national team and the new coach appears willing to utilise that pool.
At the same time, the inclusion of local and less-established players ensures that the door remains open for those looking to force their way into the Warriors picture.
The first two qualifiers will ultimately provide the answers.
Can Català quickly build chemistry among players who spend most of their time playing in different leagues and countries?
Can Zimbabwe find the goals needed to turn possession and opportunities into results?
And perhaps most importantly, can the Warriors start the campaign strongly enough to put themselves in a favourable position in the qualification race?
Those questions will only be answered on the pitch.
For now, Català has made his first move.
The 29 names represent the beginning of his Warriors project, but the real work starts when the players assemble and preparations intensify.
Sierra Leone and DRC will offer a stern examination, but they also provide Català with an opportunity to immediately win over a nation hungry to see the Warriors return to the continental stage.
The new coach has selected his soldiers. Now Zimbabwe waits to see what they can produce.
A new coach. A new squad. A new Afcon journey.
— @FungaiMuderere.
