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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
LESS than a week after he promised to use merit to select his team, Warriors coach Michael Nees appears to have reneged on his word that he would not risk calling unattached players for Zimbabwe’s upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifying assignments.
The German coach torched widespread social media debate following the inclusion of players that have not been active at club level, in his 23-member squad for the two games against Kenya and Cameroon.
Nees opted to go for the “tried and tested” for his initial tasks at the helm of the Warriors but his selection was a subject of intense debate as football stakeholders across various platforms including on social media, argued whether defenders Teenage Hadebe and Andrew Mbeba in particular, should have been included.
Nees was last week unveiled as the first substantive Warriors coach since 2022 and he told the media at his unveiling ceremony that he would only call players who are doing well based on current form and match fitness.
But Hadebe had been clubless since May following the expiry of his six-month contract at Turkish side Konyaspor.
He made 12 appearances during his short return to Turkey.
Hadebe even spent a considerable amount of time in Zimbabwe before the 28-year-old defender returned to the United States, where he was unveiled by FC Cincinnati yesterday.
Mbeba on the other hand, has not seen much game time at local giants Highlanders.
There has not been an explanation from Bosso why Mbeba has suddenly been sidelined but it looks like the lanky defender has fallen out of favour with coach Kelvin Kaindu.
Journalist Sikumbuzo Moyo is one of those who took to social media to question the wisdom of calling up inactive players, who might be lacking match fitness when other equally good players can fit the Warrior’s bill.
The debate spread to the supporters including Francis Dube, who posed the uncomfortable question on the Highlanders official Facebook page in response to Mbeba’s call-up.
“Andrew hasn’t been playing of late for Bosso. Should we say he is good for the national team but not for Bosso?” queried Dube.
While Nees needed only 23 players to work with for the upcoming assignments, there has also been disagreements on the selections.
Unfortunately, Nees was not allowed to explain why players like Highlanders strongman Peter Muduhwa or the domestic league’s leading scorers William Manondo and Tymon Machope could not make the short-list.
Others had hoped ZIFA would convince Khama Billiat out of retirement after the former Mamelodi Sundowns man reinvented himself at Yadah. It emerged last night that Nees had even reached out to Billiat, but the former Kaizer Chiefs talisman refused.
Fans were also haggling over the call of goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, who has been clearly out of his depth in recent national team outings while questions were also posed over the inclusion of rookie Marley Taruziva, who is on the books of Brentford but is not in the English club’s senior team.
Nees was not immediately available to comment, but the Warriors coach also needed to explain whether veteran Washington Arubi, could be his solution for the seemingly man-made goalkeeping crisis.
Former Warriors forward Joel Lupahla and now Dynamos assistant coach, told Zimpapers Sports Hub during a radio show on Star FM, that it was difficult for any coach to please all the stakeholders with the team selection.
Lupahla believes Nees’ squad “is fair and balanced”.
“I think it’s a balanced and fair squad but you cannot have a national team selection with everybody agreeing,” he said.
“I would have loved to see Khama Billiat in that squad, seeing how he has been playing. But I don’t know how the issue of him and the national team was going on but I would have loved to see him, bringing that experience into the team because we need that experience especially upfront.
“Locally, I would have also loved to see (Tymon) Machope given a chance because the boy has been doing very well, considering that he came into the PSL last season and has been consistent for the past two years so it’s always good that when players are doing well they get that run. It also gives them confidence. But basically, I think it’s the same squad that was assembled when we played Lesotho and South Africa.
“So, we hope for improvements from how we did then. I know we didn’t get the result that we wanted but if we can build from there, maybe with the introduction of the new coach, who knows?” said Lupahla.
The Warriors will kick off their quest for a place at the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco with a date against Kenya’s Harambee Stars in a Pool J qualifier at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on September 6. They will then host Cameroon at the same venue on September 10.
Zimbabwe and Kenya currently do not have FIFA-approved stadiums to host international matches. The Warriors are set to report for camp in Kampala, Uganda, on Sunday.
The Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat yesterday named a provisional squad that features a robust mix of local talent and international players. The foreign-based contingent is headlined by captain Michael Olunga, who continues to be a pivotal figure in the squad.
Alongside him are stalwarts like Joseph Okumu of Reims in France, Eric Ouma from Rakow in Poland, and Richard Odada of Dundee United.
Firat has also maintained faith in goalkeepers Ian Otieno of South Africa’s Richards Bay FC, Patrick Matasi from Kenya Police, and Byrne Omondi of Bandari.
However, notable omissions include Ayub Timbe who has been a free agent since parting ways with FK Sabail of Azerbaijan recently, and injured defender Daniel Anyembe who plays as a right-back for Danish Superliga club Viborg FF.
Away from the fierce debate over the squad selection, the Warriors got a boost yesterday when ZIFA have unveiled Betterbrands Gold as the team’s official kit sponsor for their campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Under the deal, valued at US$80 000, Betterbrands Gold will be providing comprehensive support covering top-of-the-range, training, travel, leisure, and matchday apparel for the men’s national team. Replicas will also be provided at a date to be announced. Betterbrands Gold chief executive officer Tonde Sakupwanya and his ZIFA counterpart Yvonne Manwa expressed satisfaction with the partnership.
“We are thrilled to support the Senior Men’s National Team as they embark on this crucial journey towards AFCON qualification.
“At Betterbrands Gold, we believe in the power of sports to unite and inspire, and we are proud to play a part in the Warriors’ success.
“Our sponsorship is a testament to our commitment to the growth and development of Zimbabwean football,” said Sakupwanya.
Meanwhile, Senegalese referee Diouf Adalbert has been appointed centre referee for the match between Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Adalbert will be supported by compatriots Amadou Ngom as the first assistant referee and Mamadou Ngoma as the second assistant while Aliuone Sow will be the reserve referee.
Uganda’s Mike Letti will serve as the match commissioner, while Algeria’s Djamel Haimoudi will assess the referees’ performance.
Online Reporter