Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sport Hub
WITH 75 days remaining before Zimbabwe begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, interim national team coach Kaitano Tembo is already laying the groundwork.
He is closely monitoring players performing for their respective clubs.
Tembo, who took over from Romanian coach Marian Marinica in April, insists that national team selection will be based on current form and regular game-time.
The Warriors coach is also keeping tabs on Zimbabwean diaspora players and is encouraged by the news that Aston Villa youth goalkeeper Jayden Garthwaite is now eligible to represent Zimbabwe.
Garthwaite, 16, qualifies to play for Zimbabwe through his parents.
Born in Oxford, England, he previously represented the England Under-15 national team.
The promising goalkeeper trained with the Warriors during the Unity Cup held in Birmingham in May, where he impressed the technical team.
Reports have also emerged from Wales, revealing that 22-year-old FK Sarajevo defender Shane Maroodza has attracted the interest of Championship side Cardiff City.
On Garthwaite, Kaitano said:
“Jayden is a young goalkeeper who came to be assessed. He trained with the squad as we prepared for the Unity Cup in Birmingham.
“He is a young goalkeeper with huge potential to develop into a very good player. He’s got all the basics, and I think there’s still room for him to improve and get even better.
“I was also happy with his willingness to come and be assessed in Birmingham. He has shown the courage and desire to represent Zimbabwe at such a young age, and I think that’s very important.
“We have already included him in our database of players based abroad, and he is now part of that group. It’s important that we continue tracking all the players we have.”
Kaitano his technical team is monitoring both locally-based and foreign-based players ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.
“I think we are focusing on all the players, both local and abroad, because it’s important to track every player,” he said.
“Some players may not be playing regularly, while others are getting consistent game-time. When it comes to the national team, it’s always important to select players who are playing regularly.”
