Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA have pulled out all the stops to ensure the Warriors return home from Morocco in the shortest possible time, chartering a US$180 000 flight that will ferry the team directly from Casablanca to Harare immediately after their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Sierra Leone on Thursday.
The unprecedented logistical arrangement is meant to give the Warriors every possible advantage as they brace for a quick turnaround, with the team expected back in Harare on Friday afternoon ahead of their crucial Group F showdown against the Democratic Republic of Congo next Monday.
With every hour of recovery likely to count, ZIFA have opted to spare the Warriors the rigours of commercial travel and lengthy transit schedules, instead putting the national team on the direct flight home after their opening assignment in Casablanca.
The Warriors will then have the weekend to recover and prepare for the DR Congo clash, which comes just four days after their encounter with Sierra Leone.
Zimbabwe are in Group E of the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone.
They begin their campaign on Thursday against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco.
Sierra Leone are using Morocco for their home games as they do not have a CAF certified stadium in their country.
According to ZIFA, the locally-based Warriors and the technical team led by Spanish gaffer Ramon Catala, will depart for Morocco midday today via Doha, Qatar and will arrive in Casablanca on Monday.
There are seven home-based players in the 23-man squad announced by Catala.
They include five players from Premier Soccer League champions Scottland — goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, defenders Emmanuel Jalai, Kevin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa and midfielder Abubakar Moffat.
The Hardrock duo of goalkeeper Martin Mapisa and striker Prince Dube complete the local contingent.
“They (local) players will arrive in Casablanca on Monday (tomorrow) and set up base there for a couple of days before moving to El Jadida for the match,” ZIFA said.
Foreign-based players, including skipper Marvelous Nakamba, Motherwell star striker Tawanda Maswanhise and Wolves midfielders Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa are expected to link up with their teammates on Monday.
“Return to Harare is scheduled for Friday via a charter with the team scheduled to arrive at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport at 1200hrs,” ZIFA said.
“The charter has been necessitated by the quick turnaround between games.
“ZIFA are trying to ensure that the Warriors spend less time at airports and more on the training ground ahead of the blockbuster clash with DR Congo.”
Although the FA did not reveal the cost of the chartered plane, sources indicate that it will cost around US$180 000 to fly the Warriors directly from Casablanca to Harare.
Zimpapers Sports Hub also understands that these huge costs might have forced ZIFA to charge US$10 rest of ground for the match against DR Congo.
ZIFA will also pay the Sports and Recreation Commission 15 percent of their gross takings from the match against DR Congo as levy, while the National Sports Stadium’s sitting capacity has been reduced to 30 000.
Aside from the travel and logistics, Zimbabwe are tipped to pick at least a point against Sierra Leone, although the West Africans are ranked eight places better than the Southern African nation.
This will be the first competitive match between the two nations.
While Zimbabwe are seeking a seventh appearance at the AFCON finals, Sierra Leone have qualified three times in 1994, 1996 and 2021.
The Leone Stars have some players to watch out for, including Abdulai Juma Bah, the 20-year-old Manchester City defender, who is on loan at Bundesliga side, Augsburg.
Blackburn Rovers forward Augustus Kargbo is also another one to look out for.
On their part, Zimbabwe have a host of experienced players, most of whom played at the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Andy Rinomhota (Reading) and hot shot AmaZulu striker Thando Ngwenya are also part of the Warriors ensemble.
Zimbabwe are eager to begin their quest for a seventh appearance at the AFCON finals with a positive result against Sierra Leone before they host 2026 FIFA World Cup finalists DR Congo.
After playing the Leone Stars on Thursday, the Warriors host DR Congo in a historical match at the refurbished National Sports in Harare four days later.
The qualifiers will then return in November with Zimbabwe playing back-to-back matches against Equatorial Guinea between November 11 and 15. The last round of qualifiers will be played in March 2027.
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, will be the 36th edition of the continental showpiece and will run from June 19 to July 17, being co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Zimbabwe’s squad:
Goalkeepers:
Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (Hardrock),
Nelson Chadya (Scottland)
Defenders:
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Munashe Garananga (Lyngby BK), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town), Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Emmanuel Jalai (Scottland), Peter Muduhwa (Scottland), Kevin Moyo (Scottland), Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool)
Midfielders:
Marshall Munetsi (Wolves), Andy Rinomhota (Reading FC), Abubakar Moffat (Scottland), Marvelous Nakamba (Panetolikos), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki)
Forwards:
Thando Ngwenya (AmaZulu), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Prince Dube (Hardrock), Tino Kadewere (Aris Salonica), Tino Kadewere (Aris Salonica)
