dyton mupawaenda
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sport
THE first batch of the Warriors arrived in Polokwane yesterday with coach Michael Nees harping about the quality in his squad.
He explained the decision to call Simba Bhora striker Tymon Machope for the crucial 2025 AFCON qualifying matches against Kenya and Cameroon.
Machope is one of the new faces in Nees’ squad, having been rewarded for his good form after leading the Shamva side to their maiden Castle Lager Premiership title, with 12 goals to his name ahead of the last round of matches.
The Warriors will host Kenya at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday evening before flying out to Cameroon for the final Group J match four days later.
Nees was convinced Machope was the kind of striker that he needed in his squad after seeing him score a brace recently in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab.
There has also been debate that the league’s top goal scorer Lynoth Chikuhwa, who took his tally to 16 goals yesterday and cement his place as the 2024 Golden Boot favourite, should also have made the squad.
But Nees said he preferred the 31-year-old Simba Bhora forward because of his attributes that include physical stature and his skill, which he hopes will bring an additional dimension to the Warriors’ attack.
“He is a good player,” said Nees. “He is a little bit a different type. He is very tall. I saw him in the (Chibuku Super) Cup semi-final, he is in good shape where he showed a very nice overhead kick.
“I think he is a different type of player. We must see now in training how he can fit into the team. But I am sure he can bring another element which we didn’t have before in the team.
“Every player who plays at the high level can bring some additional element.”
Machope’s call up comes as doubts shrouded the availability of France-based striker Tino Kadewere, who missed the recent back-to-back wins over Namibia in the same tournament due to injury.
Although he was back on his feet and featured in some games for his club Nantes, Kadewere is understood to have aggravated his injury in a French Ligue 1 game against Marseille in which he scored a goal, albeit in a 2-1 losing cause.
“With Tino we are not sure yet. We must still assess the situation with him,” said Nees.
England-based forward Tawanda Chirewa is also out due to injury.
But with defender Munashe Garananga back in action after also skipping the previous assignments, Nees was yesterday upbeat about his squad.
Zimbabwe Squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)
DEFENDERS: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese)
MIDFIELDERS: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum)
FORWARDS: Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City)
Online Reporter