Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA has moved to clarify why Warriors vice-captain Marshall Munetsi and star forward Khama Billiat were left out of the squad to face Algeria and Qatar during the November Fifa international break.
The Warriors will face Algeria on November 13 in Saudi Arabia, before playing Qatar a few days later.
In a statement, the football association said Munetsi was excused at the request of his English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, citing a “coaching transition” following the dismissal of Vítor Pereira. Wolves are set to appoint Rob Edwards as the new manager.
Billiat, meanwhile, was excluded “for personal reasons,” Zifa confirmed.
Former captain Knowledge Musona has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury and will miss both fixtures, while Tymon Machope of Scottland FC is also unavailable due to a calf strain.
Their places have been taken by Simba Bhora defender Isheanesu Mauchi and Tivonge Rushesha, a midfielder based in the United Kingdom.
There was also good news for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League top scorer Washington Navaya, who has earned his first national team call-up after scoring 17 goals this season with one match remaining. The TelOne striker, 27, leads Scottland FC’s Machope by two goals.
The friendly matches will mark the debut of newly appointed coach Marian Marinica, who replaced Michael Nees earlier this week.
“These fixtures form part of the Warriors’ broader preparations ahead of the 2025 Afcon Qualifiers and are expected to provide crucial technical and tactical assessments for the team’s ongoing development,” said Zifa in a statement yesterday.
Warriors Squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC).
Defenders: Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC, Libya), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora)
Midfielders: Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirge Aue), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Tivonge Rushesha
Strikers: Prince Dube (Young Africans), Washington Navaya (TelOne FC), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Walter Musona (Scottland FC).
