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Innocent Kurira
DERBY County have confirmed the availability of midfielder, Tawanda Chirewa for Warriors duty in Zimbabwe’s upcoming back-to-back Afcon qualifying games against Namibia.
Namibia will host the first game on October 10 before Zimbabwe hosts the return fixture on October 14.
Both fixtures will be played at Orlando Stadium in South Africa due to the lack of homologated international stadiums in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
A reported rift between Warriors coach, Michael Nees and Chirewa had left speculation rife that Chirewa may not make the squad owing to the misunderstanding but Chirewa’s club Derby County revealed that the player will be answering the national duty call.
“Jacob Zetterström and Tawanda Chirewa will link up with Sweden and Zimbabwe respectively during the next international break. Congratulations, lads,” Derby County wrote on their social networks.
Nees and the Derby County midfielder crossed paths when Chirewa strayed from the disciplinary line when expressing his displeasure at being substituted during Zimbabwe’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya in Uganda last month.
It was the first time that Nees, who was unveiled as Zimbabwe coach on August 22, was taking charge of the Warriors. He also later presided over the Warriors other Group J qualifier against Cameroon.
Both games, which were played at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala in September, ended goalless but the one against the Harambee Stars was not without incident as there was a fallout between Nees and emerging star Chirewa.
The 20-year-old was not happy with the coach’s decision to substitute him in the 58th minute, despite a below-par showing. So mad was Chirewa that he even refused to speak to the media on the eve of the next game against Cameroon.
Chirewa did not start against the Indomitable Lions and only came on as an 86th-minute replacement for Walter Musona.
Zimbabwe will be searching for its first win in Group J following two opening goalless draws against Kenya and Cameroon. The Warriors are occupying position three in the group with two points, two behind Kenya who are on top with four points, the same with Cameroon who are second.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers:
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa(Dynamos)
Defenders:
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese)
Midfielders:
Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Tawanda Chirewa (Derby County), Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum)
Forwards:
Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Prince Dube (YoungAfricans), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tawanda Maswanhise(Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora)
Online Reporter