Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Warriors have been under fire in recent weeks, but former Zimbabwe captain Willard Katsande has stepped in with a rallying call. His message is simple: back the coach, trust the process, and give the team the space to grow.
Katsande, who wore the armband at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, believes the criticism directed at Warriors coach Michael Nees is both premature and unhelpful. He insists the German needs time to build a side capable of competing on two fronts, the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 Afcon campaign.
“As football people we must stop criticising the coach, ‘he must do this’, ‘he must have done that’, ‘he must have called so and so’. Trust me, the coach knows what he is doing,” Katsande said.
“Let’s all respect and support the coach and whoever he gave the nod. There is still time for those who did not make it to work on their performances and make the squad ahead of Afcon. The technical team and the players need support from all of us.”
For Katsande, the September qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda should be seen as more than just World Cup fixtures. He views them as vital preparation for the continental tournament in Morocco next year.
“Remember these are the guys that are going to represent us at Afcon and we will have to use this opportunity to prepare for that competition. We don’t have much time to be exposed to a lot of matches and camps because of club commitments, but the bottom line is we have to support the team. Football brings us together as a nation and our duty is to support the team and the coach.”
Last week, Nees named his 24-man squad for the double header. It’s a mix of old hands and new blood, with players drawn from leagues in Europe, the United States, and the local Premiership.
Marshall Munetsi of Wolves and Marvelous Nakamba of Luton Town headline the midfield returnees, joined by FC Cincinnati’s Teenage Hadebe in defence. Knowledge Musona, back home with Scottland FC, is also included and expected to take on a leadership role.
The backline is strengthened by Brendan Galloway of Plymouth Argyle, Jordan Zemura from Udinese, and Munashe Garananga of FC Copenhagen. In goal, veteran Washington Arubi will guide Elvis Chipezeze and Martin Mapisa.
Nees has also handed opportunities to promising youngsters. Tawanda Chirewa, Sheffield Wednesday’s Sean Fusire, and Finland based Prosper Padera will be out to impress, with the coach signalling his intent to build a team for both the present and future.
The forward line has familiar firepower in Tino Kadewere of Greece, supported by Terrence Dzvukamanja and Walter Musona. They’ll be joined by Tawanda Maswanhise of Motherwell and Belgium based Bill Antonio, both expected to add pace and energy. Still, the Warriors remain bottom of Group C after a stuttering start. The two fixtures in September could decide whether Zimbabwe keeps its World Cup dream alive or drifts further from contention.
There are big absentees too. Khama Billiat and goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva are sidelined by injury, while Andy Rinomhota asked to be excused as he completes a club move. Chipezeze returns after featuring in June’s friendlies, while Nakamba’s comeback after injury provides a badly needed anchor in midfield.
Zimbabwe’s campaign resumes on 5 September against Benin in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, the same venue that staged the 2023 Afcon final. Kick-off is 5pm CAT. Four days later, the Warriors will meet Rwanda at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg at 3pm CAT.
Full Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa
Defenders: Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Teenage Hadebe, Brandon Galloway, Godknows Murirwa, Emanuel Jalai, Jordan Zemura, Divine Lunga
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Jonah Fabisch, Sean Fusire, Prosper Padera, Tawanda Chirewa, Knowledge Musona
Forwards: Terrence Dzvukamanja, Bill Antonio, Tawanda Maswanhise, Walter Musona, Tino Kadewere, Thando Ngwenya.
Bongani Ndlovu