Vusumuzi Dube
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe senior men’s football team will today plunge into battle against Eswatini in a 2025 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifiers first round clash at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana. The Warriors squad that consists of Under-20 and 23 players with only four senior players was announced last Monday.
This will be the first time the Warriors host their opponents in Botswana having previously used the Orlando Stadium in South Africa, the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda and the Huye Stadium in Rwanda.
A few weeks ago, Zimbabwe hosted Namibia at the magnificent Orlando Stadium for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier match which they won 3-1.
It was a game that was missed by veterans Donovan Bernard and Obriel Chirinda with hard running Godknows Murwira and creative Brian Banda making it into the team.
Zimbabwe is playing its home matches from neighbouring countries because there is no Caf approved local stadium to host international matches.
As for the Chan tournament only players plying their trades in their domestic leagues are permitted to play in the competition as per Caf’s rules and regulations.
The Warriors second leg of this fixture against Eswatini is scheduled for 2 November at Mbombela Stadium in South Africa.
Should the Warriors, who will be under the tutelage of Takesure Chiragwi who is also the Under 23 and Ngezi Platinum Stars head coach, knock out Eswatini, they will face Madagascar in the second round of the qualifiers. Madagascar received a bye in the first round.
The winner in the Madagascar-Zimbabwe contest will qualify for the Chan finals. The second round ties are slated for 20 to 22 December and 27 to 29 December.
Zimbabwe are returning to the tournament after being absent from the previous edition because of an international ban. The Warriors have taken part in the competition five times, with their best act being a fourth place finish achieved at the 2014 finals in South Africa under the guidance of Ian Gorowa.
The 2025 Chan finals will be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 1 to 28 February 2025.
Goalkeepers:
Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn), Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds)
Defenders:
Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Allan Chapinduka (TelOne FC), Anotidaishe Gwatidzo (Yadah FC), Thubelihle Jubani (Manica Diamonds), Zibusiso Ruguchu (Herentals), Blessing Kagudu (Herentals), Chris Mukumbira (Bikita Minerals)
Midfielders:
Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Blessed Ndereki (Yadah FC), Mthokozisi Msebe (Simba Bhora), McKinnon Mushore (Highlanders), Tinashe Mashaireni (Kwekwe United), Denzel Mapuwa (Green Fuel), Enock Moyo (Bikita Minerals)
Forwards:
Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinums), Junior Bunjira (Caps United), Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya (FC Platinum), Tinashe Mavhudzi (Chegutu Pirates), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Ashwin Karengesha (ZPC Kariba). —@FungaiMuderere
Bongani Ndlovu