Zimpapers Sports Hub
MONGAMELI Tshuma has been called up to replace the injured Jonah Fabisch for Zimbabwe’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on November 12 away and four days later at home, with the Highlanders star set to join the local-based players who leave tomorrow for Cameroon.
Mongameli was initially in the provisional squad that was cut to a 24-man squad in the past few days and his omission received a huge outcry given he has already proved himself to be a national team player.
The Bosso star is arguably one of the most talented players in the Premiership and he has received admiration from neutrals.
Fabisch’s inclusion, on the other hand, had also not been received well by critics given the player has been injured since he made the move to South Africa.
Today Mongameli is expected to play his final game for Highlanders at home before he reverts to his club Hardrock, who bought him and loaned him back to complete the season for the Premiership giants.
And when the Warriors face Equatorial Guinea at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé, Cameroon, coach Ramon Catala will have at his disposal one of the most deadly attacking midfielders whose abilities seem not to have been tested to the limit so far.
The local-based contingent are expected to leave Harare on tomorrow and are expected to be in Cameroon at least by Tuesday for the first training session.
The Warriors are in Group E of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
In their first two games, Catala’s men recorded a 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone away before suffering a 2-1 defeat to DR Congo at the National Sports Stadium.
The two back-to-back matches against Equatorial Guinea will therefore be crucial as the Warriors seek to qualify for the AFCON finals.
And the battle to qualify started off the field in the past few days as the Warriors’ opponents tried to change the venue for the game from Cameroon, which is a neutral venue, to their own country.
Zimpapers Sports Hub understands that ZIFA have since rejected the idea, saying logistical arrangements had already been made for the team to play in Cameroon.
“Everything was moving smoothly until there was that late request. We said no because we already had plans in place. These include flights for the different players, the delegation and everything that helps us to be ready for the game,” said an insider.
“After that we then started to have issues with the visas to Cameroon, issues that initially were not there and are handled with the help of the host nation.
“We had to take matters into our own hands and we started the process of applying for the visas for each individual just to make sure we go to Cameroon. It has really been disappointing and we have had to delay departure.
“But the local guys will leave Monday and link up there with the rest of the team.”
The Cameroon express visa takes around 24 hours for individuals to get approval if all documents are in place.
But under the current situation, it is a process that Equatorial Guinea could easily have helped facilitate for the whole group since Cameroon was the alternative venue for the game.
The developments mean that the Warriors’ time together has been greatly reduced, and chances are high that Wednesday could be the only full day for training with all players before plunging into battle on Thursday.
Fortunately, after the game the Warriors are expected to return to Harare quickly, for the association secured a chartered flight which will initially carry the Young Warriors to Mali before collecting them in Cameroon.
That scenario could then help them get at least two full days of training before the reverse fixture at the National Sports Stadium.
The Warriors are expected to play before a crowd of 25,000, as stipulated by CAF, if all tickets are sold out.
