Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS skipper Marvelous Nakamba has urged the nation to rally behind the national team and says he is relishing another opportunity to lead his troops in front of home fans.
The 32-year-old Panetolikos midfielder was retained in the Warriors squad when coach Ramon Catala trimmed the team to 24 players on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe will play Equatorial Guinea in Cameroon on November 12 before hosting the reverse fixture at the National Sports Stadium four days later.
“It’s good that football is back home and we want to thank Government and the country’s leadership for making sure this happened.
“The last time we played DR Congo, the National Sports Stadium was packed and it felt nice to play in front of our own fans at own home.
“I am sure fans will keep believing in their Warriors,” Nakamba told Zimpapers Sports Hub from his base in Greece.
Meanwhile, Catala’s final squad has drawn mixed reactions from fans and pundits.
The Musona brothers, Knowledge and Walter are dominating some of the discussions while Hardrock’s Prince Dube has also been topical.
The trio has been omitted from the squad despite playing good football for their respective clubs.
Knowledge Musona was initially included in the provisional squad but will not face Equatorial Guinea after he was dropped alongside his brother and teammate Walter.
Dube has been on fire at Kasongo Boys where his goals and assists have catapulted Hardrock to the summit of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table.
Dube also fired a brace and scored in the penalty shootout when Hardrock beat FC Hunters at Chahwanda Stadium last Saturday, to book a place in the Chibuku Super Cup against Highlanders.
The star man for Bosso has been Mongameli Tshuma but the slippery player has also been dropped.
The inclusion of Jonah Fabisch (Golden Arrows), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday) and Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants) has also raised some eyebrows, as the trio has limited game time at their respective clubs.
Fabisch is yet to feature for Arrows since joining the Durban side in August. He has been nursing a “minor” injury while Msendami is also struggling to find his feet at Marumo Gallants.
Fusire has played only two minutes in Sheffield Wednesday’s last six games.
The addition of Highlanders keeper Aaron Ngwenya as a fourth goalie has also left many puzzled.
Former CAPS United assistant coach Tostao Kwashi has urged the Warriors technical team to cast their net wider and also give lower league players a chance.
He cited the example of GG Grassroots striker Trymore Kawerere who has scored 30 goals for the Division Two side.
“The net should be cast wider,” reasoned Kwashi.
“I have watched a number of lower league games and I can tell you there are very good youngsters out there who are being overlooked.
“I think sometimes it’s good to just give them a chance to train with the Warriors as part of their development,” added Kwashi.
Among the strikers in the Warriors squad is Greece based Tino Kadewere who has scored one goal in eight league appearances for Aris.
Overall, Kadewere has scored four goals in 24 appearances since joining the Greek side.
Mbare based junior football coach Rueben Dauti is not shocked with the omission of the Musona brothers, especially 36-year-old Knowledge
“For me it has not been a shock at all, sometimes coaches look at the player’s mindset and level of professionalism both on and off the field.
“That incident when Knowledge walked off the pitch after being substituted is a big no in the national set up, plus also the guy is now past his best.
“He had his chance on the dance floor and now is the time for new blood,” said Dauti.
He added: “I also think both Prince Dube and Washington Navaya should have been called up, I look at the numbers of Navaya and believe he has a lot to offer in attack and has proved by leading the goal scoring charts again in our PSL.
“For Dube I believe he needs more time at Hardrock to rediscover his scoring touch which he always brings to the national team.
“On a scale of 10-1, I give Catala’s selection an 8 out of 10.”
In the absence of Dube and Navaya, red hot Amazulu striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya should once again lead the attack.
Ngwenya has breaking goal scoring records in the Betway Premiership in South Africa.
He has scored nine goals in nine matches for Usuthu.
Ngwenya has the best numbers among all the forwards who are in the Warriors squad.
Tawanda Chirewa, has seven appearances for Wolves mainly as a late substitute and has scored one goal.
Wolves are unbeaten in their last four Championship matches, winning three and drawing one.
They are third on the log, with 24 points, four behind log leaders Middlesborough.
Tawanda Maswanhise, has featured 12 times in the league for Motherwell, and has scored two goals and provided two assists.
Maswanhise has not been as explosive as he was last season, when he scored 17 goals for the Steelmen.
Bill Antonio has four league appearances and is yet to find the back of the net.
He was an unused substitute when KV Mechelen edged Genk 1-0 last weekend.
Former national Under-20 team manager Lloyd Chinawa is calling for patience and trust in coach Catala.
“I am not against the technical team’s choice because they know better and they know the players’ weaknesses and strengths,” said Chinawa, a former Manica Diamonds executive member.
Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association president Joseph Mutau thinks it’s a balanced squad, although he feels Knowledge Musona should have been included.
“The attacking department has been missing a lot of chances and with Musona’s experience and presence we were hoping he would solve those problems.
“But the good thing is Kadewere is coming, he has been playing regularly in Greece and I hope he will deliver for the Warriors.”
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Martin Mapisa (Hardrock), Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba), Nelson Chadya (Scottland), Aaron Ngwenya (Highlanders).
Defenders: Jordan Zemura (Watford), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town), Tinotenda Muringai (Hardrock), Kelvin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Emmanuel Jalai (all Scottland), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo).
Midfielders: Abubakar Moffat, Mthokozisi Msebe (both Scottland), Marshall Munetsi (Wolves), Andy Rinomhota (Reading), Jonah Fabisch (Golden Arrows), Marvellous Nakamba (Panetolikos).
Forwards: Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Tinotenda Kadewere (Aris Salonica), Thando
Ngwenya (AmaZulu).
