Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe’s national football team yesterday said they are looking to settle quickly in Durban, where they are set to “host” South Africa in a FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium this Friday.
The Warriors, who arrived in South Africa yesterday mostly with the locally based players, are set to conduct their first training session today.
Despite being the home team, practically it is Bafana Bafana who are likely to enjoy the home comforts more. Zimbabwe do not have a FIFA-approved stadium, hence the decision to use South Africa as an alternative home.
The Warriors travelled yesterday with players such as Walter Musona, Martin Mapisa, Emmanuel Jalai, Godknows Murwira, Khama Billiat, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Knowledge Musona.
They were set to be joined by the South Africa-based contingent last night. The players expected last night included defender Divine Lunga of Mamelodi Sundowns, forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya and the veteran goalkeepers Elvis Chipezeze and Washington Arubi.
Coach Michael Nees and his technical team are expecting more of his foreign-based players to start trooping in today, in time for the start of the drills.
“The Warriors of Zimbabwe have safely touched down in Durban, South Africa, ahead of their much-anticipated clash with Bafana Bafana,” said ZIFA in a statement.
“Our local-based heroes, the heartbeat of domestic football, have arrived full of purpose and pride, carrying the hopes of millions who believe in this new era of Zimbabwean football.
“They will soon be joined by our foreign-based Warriors flying in from their professional bases around the world, a true symbol of unity and national strength.”
Vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premiership, is among the foreign-based players expected today.
Munetsi featured in the 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove yesterday. The Warriors midfielder was involved in the Wolves goal with a powerful first-half strike that goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen inadvertently put into his own net for an own goal.
Munashe Garan’anga was a second-half substitute in FC Copenhagen’s Danish league match against Mid-tjylland. England-based Brendan Galloway played 90 minutes in Plymouth Argyle’s 1-1 draw with Wigan in the Football League One on Saturday.
Teenage Hadebe also featured in FC Cincinnati’s 1-0 win over New York Red Bulls in the American Major League Soccer on Saturday night.
England-based players Tawanda Maswanhise and Tawanda Chirewa are also expected to join the squad, along with Jordan Zemura, who plays in the Italian Serie-A.
With no injuries to worry about in his squad, Zimbabwe coach Nees believes the Warriors can give Bafana Bafana a good run for their money in the penultimate round of Group C this Friday. They will also play Lesotho in the last Group match in Polokwane on October 13.
The Warriors, however, have since bowed out of contention for a place at the 2026 World Cup following a win-less run spanning eight games in the group.
Zimbabwe sit bottom of the table but they still have a huge say in the group’s destiny. They could dent Bafana Bafana’s World Cup hopes.
Following the decision by FIFA to dock South Africa three points for using an ineligible player during the qualifiers, the group was blown wide open, with four teams — Benin, South Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda — in the running for the sole ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the US and Mexico.
SAFA were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player, Tebogo Mokoena, in their 2-0 win over Lesotho. Mokoena was on a yellow card suspension, having been previously booked against Benin in 2023 and Zimbabwe last year.
The ruling demoted South Africa to second place in Group C, equal on 14 points with Benin but with an inferior goal difference.
Nees also told journalists that the Zimbabwe technical team was looking beyond the abortive 2026 World Cup qualifiers and will use the games as part of their preparations for the AFCON 2025 finals to be held in Morocco this December.
Zimbabwe Squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
DEFENDERS: Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese Cal-cio), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle)
MIDFIELDERS: Marvellous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirg Aue), Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
STRIKERS: Terrence Dzukamanja (Scottland), Khama Billiat (Scottland), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Walter Musona (Scottland), Prince Dube (Young Africans SC), Thando Ngwenya (Amazulu)
