Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS captain, Marvelous Nakamba, has welcomed the new faces which have been added to the team ahead of the Mukuru Four Nations football tournament.
Zimbabwe arrived in Francistown yesterday ahead of their clash against Botswana tomorrow.
The winner of this contest will face either Malawi and Zambia in the final on Tuesday.
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, Nakamba, is part of the squad that has been spiced up by a number of new faces, including unheralded Ipswich Under-21 defender Corbin Mthunzi.
Panashe Makwiramiti, who plays for Haverford West in Wales, is also one of the new faces.
Highlanders hotshot Mongameli “Smaller” Tshuma is also part of the team.
Tshuma had a decent show when the Warriors were held to a goalless draw by Highlanders at Barbourfields on Wednesday.
Nakamba has praised the new faces for quickly adjusting to the Warriors set-up.
“So far so good,” Nakamba said.
The Warriors held a recovery training session yesterday before departing for Francistown.
“We’ve been training well and the new guys are adjusting well.
“Everyone has welcomed the new players, and they are pushing hard despite just arriving.
“It’s good to have some new blood in the team, it’s good for the team’s regeneration.
“The boys are settling well. We keep encouraging them to fight for the flag.”
Nakamba came on as a second-half substitute against Highlanders as coach Mario Marinica tried other options after starting with a first XI that had several new faces.
Mthunzi partnered TS Galaxy defender Isheanesu Mauchi at the heart of Zimbabwe’s defence.
Tshuma started in midfield alongside Makwiramiti who had a rather subdued performance.
Zimbabwe are not taking part in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifiers because of their ranking.
The 2027 AFCON group qualifiers will get underway in September, by such a time Zimbabwe will be expected to finally host international matches.
On Wednesday, Bulawayo fans had a rare chance of watching their Warriors on home soil as the match against Highlanders was not an international clash.
“It was good to see a big crowd at Barbourfields, it’s good for our football,” noted Nakamba.
