Warriors snub for Manica Diamonds players, technical staff

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

 

MUTARE-BASED Premiership outfit, Manica Diamonds, will neither have a player nor member of their technical department represented in the two national teams set to participate in upcoming friendly matches and the COSAFA tournament.

The country’s senior national team is scheduled to play friendly matches against Niger and Burkina Faso, while another squad will participate in the COSAFA tournament, which takes place from June 4 to 15.

However, the dates overlap with the FIFA international window (June 2-10), during which Zimbabwe’s senior men’s national team will be in Morocco for friendly matches against Benin and Niger.

Notably, no Manica Diamonds player has been selected for either team, marking a significant departure from previous years when the team provided players and even their head coach, Jairos Tapera, to the national team.

For the 2025 edition of the COSAFA tournament, Zimbabwe has been drawn into Group A, alongside hosts South Africa, Mozambique, and Mauritius.

The full list of participating teams includes:

Morocco friendly matches:

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezese (Magesi), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)

 

Defenders: Teenage Hadebe (Cincinnati), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Peter Muduhwa (Scottland), Godknows Murwira (Scotland), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos)

 

Midfielders: Mthokozisi Msebe (Scottland), Khama Billiat (Scottland), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum), Jonah Fabisch (FC Aue), Donald Mudadi (Simba Bhora), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Bill Antonio (K.V. Mechelen)

 

Forwards: Prince Dube (Young Africans), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Walter Musona (Scottland), Tawanda Macheke (TelOne FC), Tino Kadewere (Nantes)

 

Warriors squad for Cosafa:

Tashinga Mashonganyika (Ngezi Platinum); Allan Chapinduka (TelOne FC); Simbarashe Takaedza (TelOne FC); Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders) – Captain; Arter Kaseke (Ngezi Platinum); Kurainashe Musanhi (Crystal Palace); Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki, Finland); Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham City, England); Vusa Ngwenya (Dynamos); Junior Makunike (Simba Bhora); Nisbert Muzenda (Ngezi Platinum); Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders); Kennedy Mupomba (Chelmsford FC, England); Calvin Chigara (TelOne FC); Tinotenda Meke (Simba Bhora); Mafios Chiweta (Highlanders); Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum); Thando Ngwenya (FC Platinum); Tanaka Cherera (Bury FC, England); Denzel Mapuwa (Green Fuel).