Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Ramon Catala has settled for his men to represent the nation in the opening two AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Sierra Leone and DRC, but utility man Jordan Zemura has confirmed he will miss the assignments due to injury.
The 26-year-old picked a fresh injury at the weekend during an English Championship clash between his team Watford and Stoke City.
Zemura, who also missed the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco due to a muscular problem, was stretchered off after only 42 minutes of the Championship match, as Watford went on to lose 1-2 at Vicarage Road.
The Zimbabwe international was hurt by the injury misfortune, which also haunted him just before the March window when the Warriors played the Four Nations tournament and won in Botswana against the hosts and neighbours Zambia.
“Thought I found that old me again, unfortunately not; see you guys soon. God help me,” Zemura wrote on a social media post.
However, Watford have not given an update on the nature and extent of the injury.
But with time running out for the Warriors, who are scheduled to kick-start their 2027 AFCON Group E qualification campaign against Sierra Leone on September 24, Zimbabwe’s new head coach Catala could not take any chances.
Former Warriors captain Knowledge Musona was also left out because of a hamstring injury he picked up two weeks ago while featuring for domestic champions Scottland in a league match against FC Platinum.
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza painted a gloomy picture for the veteran forward, who has also missed their two-legged CAF Champions League preliminary round tie victory over Eswatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs.
“So, the scan reveals that he’s going to be out for the next two weeks. That’s the situation with Knowledge,” Mapeza said when asked about the 36-year-old.
The Warriors are set to begin their quest for a place at the continental finals against Sierra Leone on September 24 at the Ben M’Hamed Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco.
The West Africans have settled for a neutral venue in Morocco due to the unavailability of a CAF-approved stadium in their country.
Zimbabwe have since overcome the stadium challenge following the recent homologation of the National Sports Stadium, where they will host the Democratic Republic of Congo in an evening kickoff on September 28.
Catala has kept faith in most of the tried and tested player, led by Marvelous Nakamba, who is now playing in Greece for Panetolikos.
Vice-captain Marshall Munetsi is also part of the squad along with Tawanda Maswanhise, Bill Antonio, Tawanda Maswanhise and Tawanda Chirewa.
Catala also had to extend an invitation to Thando Ngwenya, who has started the recent campaign in South Africa on a flying note after bagging seven goals so far to lead the Golden Boot race.
Tino Kadewere, now based in Greece, also got a call-up. Scottland provided the bulk of local players, with goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, defenders Peter Muduhwa, Emmanuel Jalai, Kelvin Moyo and midfielder Abubakar Moffat set to play a part in the Warriors’ assignments.
But there was no place for Mongameli Tshuma, who has been impressive in Highlanders colours, as well as Golden Boot race pace setter Washington Navaya of Hardrock. Teammate Prince Dube was selected ahead of him following a brilliant start to life with the Kwekwe outfit.
While the Warriors are expected to troop into camp in the coming days, Sierra Leone have since kick-started their preparations. Leone Stars head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has been holding a training camp with local-based players for the past two weeks ahead of the start of the qualifiers.
Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers:
Elvis Chipeze — Magesi
Martin Mapisa — Hardrock
Nelson Chadya — Scottland
Defenders:
Divine Lunga — Mamelodi Sundowns
Munashe Garananga — Lyngby BK
Corbin Mthunzi — Ipswich Town
Shane Maroodza — Sarajevo
Sean Fusire — Sheffield Wednesday
Emmanuel Jalai — Scottland
Peter Muduhwa — Scottland
Kevin Moyo — Scottland
Isaac Mabaya — Liverpool
Midfielders:
Marshall Munetsi — Wolves
Andy Rinomhota — Reading F.C
Abubakar Moffat — Scottland
Marvellous Nakamba —Panetolikos
Prosper Padera — SJK Seinajoki
Forwards:
Thando Ngwenya — Amazulu
Tawanda Chirewa — Wolves
Bill Antonio — KV Mechelen
Daniel Msendami — Marumo Gallants
Tawanda Maswanhise — Motherwell
Prince Dube — Hardrock
Tino Kadewere — Aris Salonica
