Tembo tracks in-form players

Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sport Hub

WITH 75 days remaining before Zimbabwe begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, interim national coach Kaitano Tembo is already laying the groundwork by closely monitoring players performing for their respective clubs.

Tembo, who took over from Romanian coach Marian Marinica at the end of April, insists that national team selection will be based on current form and regular game-time.

The former Warriors defender is also keeping tabs on Zimbabwean Diaspora players and is encouraged by the news that Aston Villa youth goalkeeper Jayden Garthwaite is now eligible to represent Zimbabwe after securing the necessary documentation.

Garthwaite, 16, qualifies to play for Zimbabwe through his parents.

Born in Oxford, England, he previously represented the England Under-15 national team.

The promising goalkeeper trained with the Warriors during the Unity Cup held in Birmingham in May, where he impressed the technical team. Tembo has, however, always preached measured integration of young players into the senior team trenches, “without just throwing them into the deep end and dampening their confidence and enthusiasm’’.

Reports have also emerged from Wales, revealing that 22-year-old FK Sarajevo defender Shane Maroodza has attracted the interest of Championship side Cardiff City.

Wales Online quoted European reporter Lorenzo Lepore, who claimed Cardiff City had made an offer of 750 000 pounds for the Zimbabwean international.

Maroodza can play as a centre-back but can also fit on the left. He was also part of the Warriors squad at the Unity Cup held in London in April. “Jayden is a young goalkeeper who came to be assessed. He trained with the squad as we prepared for the Unity Cup in Birmingham,’’ Tembo said of Garthwaite.

“He is a young goalkeeper with huge potential to develop into a very good player. He’s got all the basics, and I think there’s still room for him to improve and get even better.

“I was also happy with his willingness to come and be assessed in Birmingham.

He has shown the courage and desire to represent Zimbabwe at such a young age and I think that’s very important. “We have already included him in our database of players based abroad and he is now part of that group. It’s important that we continue tracking all the players we have.” Tembo said his technical team, which includes CAPS United gaffer Takesure Chirwagwi and South African-based goalkeepers’ trainer Pernell McKop is monitoring both locally and foreign-based players ahead of the start of the qualifiers. “I think we are focusing on all the players, both local and abroad, because it’s important to track every player,” he said. “Some players may not be playing regularly, while others are getting consistent game-time. When it comes to the national team, it’s always important to select players who are playing regularly.

“The players based abroad are only beginning their pre-season, and most of their leagues have not started yet. So, for now, our focus is mainly on players competing in active leagues, especially those in the local league.”

Among the stand-out performers in the domestic league is leading scorer Washington Navaya, who has netted 11 goals for newcomers Hardrock. Navaya won last season’s Golden Boot after scoring 17 goals for TelOne.

His Hardrock teammate, Tinotenda Muringai, has also impressed at left-back alongside Dynamos defender Abel Gwatidzo, who has enjoyed a strong campaign.

Goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, veteran Knowledge Musona and midfielder Mtokhozisi Msebe have been among the stand-out performers for champions Scottland while Nyasha Gurende has maintained impressive consistency for CAPS United.

Marvelous Mukumba is also having a decent season at 2023 champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Versatile Herentals defender Ralph Kawondera has scored 10 goals despite being used mostly as a defender.

Zimbabwe will open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Sierra Leone in Freetown on September 23 before hosting DR Congo four days later.

Equatorial Guinea complete the teams in Group E.