Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS captain, Marvelous Nakamba, has been interacting a lot with several Zimbabwean players who were raised in the United Kingdom, especially in England.
Nakamba seems to now have a better appreciation of how much these players value their fatherland.
While a significant number of this group nicknamed the “British Brigade” have over the years been gradually integrated into Zimbabwe’s senior team set-up, there are still several, who are still yearning to put on the national side’s jersey.
Nakamba, who plays club football for English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, is convinced the Warriors’ upcoming tour of the United Kingdom will apart from preparing the team for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, also inspire more Zimbabwean players dotted across England and surrounding countries into wanting to be part of the squad.
The Warriors will travel to England at the end of next month to play in the four-nation Unity Cup tournament that will also feature African powerhouses Nigeria, Jamaica and India.
Nigeria are the defending champions in that tourney.
The tournament which runs from May 26-31, will be staged at The Valley stadium in London, which is the home ground for English League One side Charlton Athletic.
Marian “Mario’’ Marinica’s Warriors will play the Super Eagles in one of the semi-finals, with the Jamaican Reggae Boys square off against India in the other contest.
“Time is flying and the United Kingdom tour is fast approaching.
“I have been talking to a number of players here and they are really excited about this tournament.
“We have a lot good and upcoming players here including the likes of Menzi Mazwi who plays for Birmingham.
“They are really excited,” Nakamba told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
The 32-year-old central midfielder played the last 20 minutes when relegated Sheffield Wednesday held log leaders Coventry to a goalless draw at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday.
He was given a 6.4 rating.
Nakamba still has to focus on Sheffield Wednesday’s last four matches of the season before shifting attention to the Warriors match against Nigeria in London.
The Unity Cup has been confirmed at a time when some of the Warriors star players, who include Tawanda Chirewa and Tawanda Maswanhise, have recovered from injuries.
Chirewa is back in training at English League One side Barnsley.
According to Nakamba, the midfielder is looking forward to the four nations tournament.
“I was with him (Chirewa), he says he is happy to be back to full fitness and is looking forward to the Unity Cup after missing the Mukuru 4 Nations Cup in Botswana.
“There are a lot of talented youngsters of Zimbabwean origin in the UK and I am sure this upcoming tournament can inspire them more,” said Nakamba.
For Warriors’ Romanian gaffer Marinica, this tour presents him with another opportunity to assess some of the Zimbabwean players born or raised in that part of Europe, who could be part of the ensemble his is utting together before the AFCON qualifiers start.
Marinica faces the task of ensuring that the Warriors secure a passage to next year’s Nations Cup to be co-hosted by the trio of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Early this year, the Romanian toured Europe where he met with a number of Zimbabwean players including Motherwell star forward Maswanhise.
The idea is to systematically integrate this talent into the Warriors setup. Some of the Zimbabwean players who were either born or raised in the diaspora with a potential to play for the Warriors include 20-year-old Norwich City left back Lucien Mahovo, Zanda Siziba (York United, Canada), Lee Ndlovu (Notts County), Shumaira Mheuka (Chelsea) and Leon Chiwome (Wolves).
But Marinica knows all too well that it is at games like these where he can test the pedigree of the players that are at his disposal and those who are ripe for integration into the Warriors.
