Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TINO Kadewere is not part of the Warriors for the final 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against South Africa and Lesotho because of a knee injury, coach Michael Nees revealed yesterday.
The forward was caught up in controversy after a public fallout with journalist Yvonne Mangunda in South Africa.
However, Nees clarified that Kadewere’s omission was because he was nursing an injury.
“The old neighborhood conflict case with Tino is water under the bridge. I am not interfering in that. That issue was solved, it’s over, and it has nothing to do with the national team,” said Nees.”I actually have a very high opinion of Tino from a technical point of view, he is an outstanding player.
“However, Tino has had strong physical problems for about a year. He was out of action for seven months last year.””He was criticised a lot for skipping the national team because people speculated he didn’t want to play but in the end, it was his body (that was the problem).”He added:
“He showed his commitment by joining the national team in May after a seven-month absence, even though I am sure his club was not happy.
“He wanted to show us he is a valuable player.”In the last camp, he had a small issue. It was not that serious, but his club even informed us that he was out of the squad.”I had a call with him yesterday and he could only determine if he is fit this Saturday, which is too late for us. It would be unfair to the other players, so I couldn’t select him.”He explained how he selects his players.
“I need to select a player only if he is fit, or if he himself declares he is fit. There is another player who, in the last camp, had problems at the last-minute, and I had to call in a replacement from Zimbabwe.””I had an extensive talk with that player yesterday.
“I told him, I cannot send our doctor to your club to assess you. We have to trust you. Are you 100% fit and ready to come?”He wrote to me, ‘I’m 100%,’ and in a certain way, I have to believe that. When it comes to the minutes on the field, yes, it could be a factor.”
Goalkeepers
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
Defenders
Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese Calcio), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle)
Miffielders
Marvellous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Wolverhampton Wanderers), lonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirg Aue), Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Strikers
Terrence Dzukamanją (Scottland), Khama Billiat (Scottland), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Walter Musona (Scottland), Prince Dube (Young Africans SC), Thando Ngwenya (Amazulu)
