Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE return of Knowledge Musona, the omission of error-prone goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and the inclusion of red-hot Scottland midfielder Mtokhozisi Msebe headline the major talking points from Zimbabwe’s 32-man provisional squad for next month’s back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea.
Former Warriors captain Musona is back in the fold after missing the opening two qualifiers against Sierra Leone and DR Congo, with the 36-year-old continuing to defy age through his performances for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Scottland.
Musona was on target when Mabviravira beat Angolan giants Petro Atletico de Luanda 2-0 in the CAF Champions League second-round first leg at the National Sports Stadium earlier this month.
Former CAPS United defender Charles Manjera believes the veteran forward could provide the cutting edge Zimbabwe have been missing.
“I liked the inclusion of Knowledge Musona because he can get us the much-needed goals.
“He is getting better with age and is a player who has the character to deliver in high-profile games,” Manjera told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Now a renowned fitness trainer, Manjera believes lack of creativity has been one of the Warriors’ biggest shortcomings in recent matches.
He has tipped Highlanders midfielder Mongameli Tshuma to offer a solution, drawing comparisons with former Warriors playmaker Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda.
“Monga reminds me of Gidiza. He also has a bit of Denver Mukamba and Johannes Ngodzo in him.
“In terms of central midfield, the Warriors are okay. What we are lacking is creativity,” Manjera said.
Marvelous Nakamba headlines the central midfield department, which also includes Marshal Munetsi (Wolves), Andy Rinomhota (Reading), Jonah Fabisch (Golden Arrows) and Prosper Padera (SK Seinajoki).
The provisional squad features 15 locally based players, with eight coming from Scottland, underlining the champions’ growing influence on the national team.
League leaders Hardrock have four representatives in Martin Mapisa, Tinotenda Muringai, Washington Navaya and Prince Dube.
However, there is no place for Chipezeze, whose difficult start to the qualifying campaign has raised questions about Zimbabwe’s goalkeeping options.
The Magesi goalkeeper was culpable in the Warriors’ 1-2 home defeat to DR Congo at the National Sports Stadium and had also conceded twice in the opening 3-2 comeback victory over Sierra Leone in Morocco.
Beitbridge-based football analyst Biggie Mabhidi believes the time has come for Zimbabwe to settle on a dependable first-choice goalkeeper.
“The squad looks okay, but it’s high time we gave a chance to the likes of Nelson Chadya and Future Sibanda. So far, we don’t have a reliable first choice,” Mabhidi noted.
Chadya has enjoyed an outstanding season for Scottland, keeping 21 clean sheets in the 2026 PSL campaign to set a new league record.
He also went 180 minutes without conceding in the CAF Champions League before Scottland’s 0-3 defeat to Petro Atletico in Luanda last Friday.
Mabhidi also questioned the omission of experienced defenders, including Hardrock’s Gerald Takwara, and argued that Zimbabwe needs greater stability at the back.
“If you analyse our game against DR Congo, when we lost 2-1 at home, our defence was a bit shaky.
“We need experienced defenders. Why not give Peter Muduhwa a chance to start? He has been playing well for Scottland,” he said.
He also queried the absence of Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga but welcomed Muringai’s inclusion and urged coach Ramon Catala to cast his scouting net wider.
“I am happy they have included Tinotenda Muringai; he has been doing well.
“The coach should also move across the country and watch all the games. Look at a player like Ralph Kawondera. I think he deserves a chance,” Mabhidi said.
Meanwhile, Hardrock striker Dube returns after missing the defeat to DR Congo through injury, while captain Nakamba will once again lead the Warriors as they seek to revive their qualifying campaign.
The provisional squad includes 14 forwards, among them PSL leading scorer Navaya, Dynamos attacker Leeroy Mavhunga and CAPS United striker Ishmael Wadi.
Musona’s return comes shortly after his appointment as player-assistant coach at Scottland, adding another layer to the veteran forward’s latest Warriors comeback.
Zimbabwe face Equatorial Guinea in Cameroon on November 12 before hosting the same opponents at the National Sports Stadium four days later.
The Warriors have collected three points from their opening two matches and trail Group A leaders DR Congo by the same margin.
With qualification hopes still alive, Catala’s men will be targeting a strong return from the double-header as they pursue a place at the 2027 AFCON finals, to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Warriors provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Nelson Chadya (Scottland), Martin Mapisa (Hardrock), Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba).
Defenders: Jordan Zemura (Watford), Shane Marodza (Sarajevo), Kelvin Moyo (Scottland), Peter Muduhwa (Scottland), Emmanuel Jalai (Scottland), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town), Tinotenda Muringai (Hardrock).
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Panetolikos), Marshal Munetsi (Wolves), Andy Rinomhota (Reading), Jonah Fabisch (Golden Arrows), Abubakar Moffat (Scottland), Mtokhozisi Msebe (Scottland), Prosper Padera (SK Seinajoki).
Forwards: Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Walter Musona (Scottland), Mongameli Tshuma (Highlanders), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Tino Kadewere (Aris), Thando Ngwenya (Amazulu), Prince Dube (Hardrock), Washington Navaya (Hardrock), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy), Leeroy Mavhunga (Dynamos), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United), Daniel Musendami (Marumo Gallants).
