Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE search for a reliable first-choice goalkeeper has become one of the biggest headaches for Warriors coach Ramon Catala, with the Spaniard admitting he is yet to settle on his preferred shot-stopper ahead of Zimbabwe’s crucial back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea.
With error-prone Elvis Chipezeze dropped from the final 24-man squad, Scottland goalkeeper Nelson Chadya appeared to have emerged as the favourite to take over the number one jersey.
However, Catala has thrown the contest wide open by including in-form Highlanders goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya, bringing the number of goalkeepers in his final squad to four.
The Warriors coach says he is still weighing his options and will only make a decision after assessing all four goalkeepers in training.
Catala’s dilemma comes at a time when Zimbabwe have struggled to establish a dependable goalkeeper since the death of George Chigova in 2023.
Chipezeze, who featured in Zimbabwe’s opening two qualifiers against Sierra Leone and DR Congo, was dropped following a difficult start to the campaign.
The Magesi goalkeeper was at fault for one of DR Congo’s goals as the Warriors suffered a 2-1 defeat at the National Sports, having also conceded twice in Zimbabwe’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Sierra Leone in Casablanca, Morocco.
His omission appeared to clear the way for Chadya, who has been enjoying an impressive run of form for Scottland.
But the inclusion of Ngwenya, who has been making a strong impression at Highlanders, suggests Catala is unwilling to take any chances as he searches for a goalkeeper capable of commanding the national team’s goal.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub on Thursday, Catala said the decision to bring in another goalkeeper was driven by the need to assess more options.
“Well, it’s because we weren’t sure who would cover that position, and we needed to see better goalkeepers.
“We are thinking a lot about who can cover that position and would like to see another very good goalkeeper that we have seen in the league,” said Catala.
The Spaniard said he was not prepared to make a premature decision on his first-choice goalkeeper before allowing all four contenders to impress.
“We are not sure about the number one goalkeeper yet, and we want to take the decision after seeing four goalkeepers in training, not just two or three, then decide on the best choice,” he added.
Zimbabwe have struggled to find consistency in goal over the years, with Washington Arubi and Chipezeze sharing the responsibility in recent times.
Before them, former Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva featured at the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon, while Chigova had established himself as one of the country’s most trusted goalkeepers before his death.
The current uncertainty presents Catala with an opportunity to settle the position, but the decision could prove crucial as Zimbabwe seek to collect maximum points against Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, Catala has also explained the omission of veteran forward Knowledge Musona, despite the former Warriors captain continuing to impress in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Musona, 36, has been in fine form but was left out as Catala looks to build a team around younger players who can serve the national team in the coming years.
The Warriors coach, however, was quick to underline his admiration for the former skipper, describing him as one of the best players in the domestic league.
“I think Musona is a very good player; we think that he is an amazing player, we really like how he plays, we like a lot how he plays, and we enjoy watching him.
“But in that position we are playing with other players in our team right now, more young and can be the future of the national team.
“But to us he is one of the best players in the league, if not the best,” said Catala.
Zimbabwe will face Equatorial Guinea away at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé on November 12 before hosting the West Africans at the National Sports Stadium four days later.
The Zimbabwe Football Association has also revealed plans to charter a plane for the Warriors’ return trip from Yaoundé to Harare, in a move aimed at ensuring smooth travel for the national team.
The aircraft will first ferry the national Under-23 team to Mali before picking up the senior Warriors in Yaoundé.
It will not be the first time ZIFA has chartered a plane for the Warriors, with the association continuing to explore measures to ease travel logistics for the national team.
