WARRIORS IN TOUGH TASK AGAINST BUOYANT BENIN

Langton Nyakwenda

THE Warriors’ nine locally based players will leave Harare today on a direct flight to Durban, where they will link up with their foreign-based counterparts for a Group C World Cup qualifier against Benin at Moses Mabidha Stadium on Thursday.

Zimbabwe will entertain Benin in South Africa due to lack of an appropriate stadium to host home matches.

The team is expected to hold its first full training session on Tuesday.

Both sides face each other buoyed by their qualification for the 2025 AFCON finals late last year.

Warriors coach Michael Nees has gone for a slightly balanced squad comprising nine local-based players and 13 foreign-based players.

But Benin coach Gernot Rohr opted for a team composed mostly of players who ply their trade abroad, with only two domestic-based players (defenders Rachid Moumini and Rodrigue Fassinou) in the squad.

Zimbabwe’s top players are skipper Marvelous Nakamba and his deputy Marshall Munetsi, who play for English sides Luton and Wolverhampton, respectively.

Jodan Zemura, who plays for Udinese in the Italian Serie A and Munashe Garananga at FC Copenhagen in Denmark add more strength to the Warriors.

Returning former captain Knowledge Musona is on the books of Al-Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League, while versatile midfielder Andy Rinomhota plays for Cardiff City in England.

The Warriors also have rising stars in Tawanda Maswanhise, who is based in Scotland, at Motherwell, and Tawanda Chirewa on loan at Huddersfield.

On the other hand, Benin has strikers Steve Mounié and Andreas Hountondji who paly for Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburga and Standard Liège, respectively.

Hassane Imourane and Doko Dodou are young central midfielders who continue to establish themselves in Rohr’s team.

Dodou is a regular contributor for Egyptian Premier League club Smouha, while Imourane is on loan at Swiss Super League club Grasshoppers from Egyptian club Modern Sport.

Experienced campaigner Sessi D’Almeida (Apollon Limassol) is another reliable option in the midfield.

Goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou recently completed a move to South African second tier side JDR Stars from Beninese club FC Loto Popo.

Benin sit in third place in Group C, level on points with leaders Rwanda and South Africa on 7, followed by Lesotho on 5, Nigeria on 3, while Zimbabwe anchor the log standings on two points.

The local-based players expected to arrive in Durban today are goalkeeper Martin Mapisa (MWOS), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora) and six Scottland players Peter Muduhwa, Godknows Murwira, Mtokhozisi Msebe, Walter Musona, Tymon Machope and Khama Billiat. Most of the foreign-based players are expected in Durban latest tomorrow evening.

After facing Benin, Zimbabwe will play Nigeria in Uyo on March 25.

“There are still 18 points to fight for, but realistically we are in a difficult situation,” Nees said.

Musona’s return, several months after retiring from national duty, has been one of the major talking points.

The former Warriors skipper will unite with his brother Walter for the first time.

Musona has been in contact with Nees for many months now. The German gaffer revealed that the talismanic forward would have joined the Warriors in November last year, but opted to wait until the end of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“Knowledge Musona already wanted to come; he could have come in November. I have been in touch with him even before I came to Zimbabwe,” said Nees.

Fans are also excited with the prospect of Musona reuniting with his erstwhile Warriors “partner in crime” Billiat.

The duo was instrumental for Zimbabwe, when they qualified for the 2017 and 2019 AFCON finals. Billiat and Musona are now poised for another dance on the AFCON finals stage in December.

Morocco will host the finals.

Nees has since openly shared his opinion on Billiat, who, like Musona, was also persuaded out of retirement last year.

“Khama Billiat, even if he is not 100 percent there, is no discussion when it comes to his selection,” said Nees.

The 34-year-old Billiat was part of the group of players who secured Zimbabwe’s place at this year’s AFCON finals.