Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Warriors coach Michael Nees Michael Nees was in good spirits as the team yesterday intensified their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches against Benin and Rwanda.
The match will be played at the Alassane Quattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Cote d’Ivoire on Friday. Benin play their home games in the neighbouring West African country since they do not have an approved stadium to host their international matches, just like Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s contingent landed in Cote d’Ivoire in batches on Monday, with Jordan Zemura the last player expected to arrive last night after featuring for his side Udinese in their 2-1 win over Serie-A giants Inter-Milan at the San Siro on Sunday evening.
Warriors coach Nees was satisfied by the conditions in the West African country where his team will have at least four full training sessions before Friday’s kick-off.
“Everything is good. I think we have nothing to complain. I think we made the right choice of where we are staying. It’s not loud, it’s not crowded. It’s a good quality hotel,” said Nees.
The German was also happy with the swift turn-up by his players after more than half the squad had arrived ahead of their first training session in Cote d’Ivoire.
“To me, that is very good. It helps us really to settle in. You are in a new environment and you want to check everything. You don’t want the time pressure, that everything has to be made straight and go smooth and this give us an additional day. I am very happy about that,” said Nees.
The Warriors camp, however, encountered glitches following the debacle that led to the withdrawal of Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Sean Fusire.
Scottland gunslinger Tymon Machope who was a late inclusion, coming in for injured midfielder Jonah Fabisch who plays in Germany, is expected to carry his current scoring form to the national team.
Nees admitted he had made a mistake to omit Machope from his initial squad, after the tall forward reminded him of his form and qualities with two goals in the 2-3 defeat of the new boys by Dynamos at Rufaro.
The former Seychelles coach is spoilt for choice after also calling in Terrence Dzvukamanja, Bill Antonio, Tawanda Maswanhise, Tino Kadewere and Warriors freshman Thando Ngwenya.
“It was a tight call between Thando and Machope,” said Nees.
“Although Machope had a very good, run I opted for Thando and he (Machope) made a statement and that’s the reaction that you want from a player as a coach.
“He went into the game, he scored two goals. He showed the coach ‘hey coach you made a mistake take me.’ That’s a fact and I didn’t hesitate,” Nees said.
His Benin counterpart Gernot Rohr begun his preparations a day earlier than the Warriors. They got started on Monday with 15 players at the Cocody Classic High School in Abidjan.
More players joined yesterday and by end of day they had a full squad in camp. The teams drew the first leg 2-2 but Benin have better chances in the qualifiers compared to Zimbabwe.
The West Africans sit third in Group C with eight points from six games while Zimbabwe are winless and anchor the table with four points.
South Africa, who play Lesotho later on Friday, are leading the six-team group with 13 points.
Zimbabwe Squad:
Goalkeepers
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants)
Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi)
Martin Mapisa (MWOS)
Defenders:
Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa)
Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen)
Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati)
Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle)
Godknows Murwira (Scottland)
Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos)
Jordan Zemura (Udinese Calcio)
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Tivonge Rushesha (Reading)
Midfielders:
Marshall Munetsi (Wolves)
Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town)
Prosper Padera (SJK)
Walter Musona (Scottland)
Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves)
Knowledge Musona (Scottland)
Forwards:
Terrence Dzvukamanja (Scottland)
Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen)
Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell)
Tino Kadewere (Aris Saloniki)
Thando Ngwenya (AmaZulu)
Tymon Machope (Scottland)
Benin Squad:
Goalkeepers: Marcel Dandjinou, Saturnin Allagbé Kassifa, Serge Obassa
Defenders: Cédric Hountondji, David Kiki, Rachid Moumini, Tamimou Ouorou, Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani, Olivier Verdon
Midfielders: Mattéo Ahlinvi, mariano Ahouangbo, Rodolfo Aloko, Samadou Attidjikou, Sessi d’Almeida, Dodo Dokou, Imourane Hassane, Rodrigue Kossi
Forwards: Jodel Dossou, Candas Fiogbé, Andréas Hountondji, Steve Mounié, Razack Rachidou, Aiyegun Tosin
