Pfumbidzai happy to be back

Blessing Malinganiza

Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE international defender, Ronald Pfumbidzai is happy to be part of the Warriors as they return to international football after an 18-month Fifa ban.

While the Warriors have played a couple of international friendlies with locally based players, they return to competitive football next month for the start of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

The SuperSport defender is part of the preliminary squad that had a training camp during the Fifa break from Wednesday last week and says it was always his prayer to see Zimbabwe in the fold. 

The 4-day Warriors training camp was organised to give Warriors coach Baltemar Brito an opportunity to assess available players ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. 

“We are happy to be part of the squad. It’s something that we always wanted as players. 

“We wished for the ban to be lifted, because not playing international football wasn’t good for us as players. 

“And I had a great time here in camp and took time to know some players whom I had never met. 

“So this was good for us,” he said. 

He added: 

“We learnt a lot from the coaches and we had some positivity as a group. 

“I think everyone made an effort to put their best in training and what’s left now is to go back to our respective clubs and do well so that we earn the national team call up.” 

There were 30 players in camp and had four extensive training sessions, including a training game with a Northern region soccer league select which they lost 3-1. 

Pfumbidzai is expected to be back at his base this week. 

“I now shift my focus to the club. 

“It’s back to business but I had a great time being in the team and also back home with my family. 

“I had missed them. 

“At the club I can’t say much right now but I’m happy there. I am getting game time and my aim is to just help them in achieving their targets,” he said.