Warriors to defend pride, dignity

Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIMBABWE coach Michael Nees yesterday said the Warriors will bring their A-game in the last two rounds of the World Cup football qualifiers against South Africa and Lesotho as they look to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship in a tense finish to the Group C race.

Nees yesterday announced a largely unchanged squad for the duels, with veteran midfielder Khama Billiat and striker Prince Dube back in the fold to join other old horses that include Knowledge Musona, Teenage Hadebe, Gerald Takwara, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Marshall Munetsi and captain Marvelous Nakamba. There were also places for the core players like Walter Musona, Jordan Zemura, Tawanda Maswanhise, Tawanda Chirewa and Munashe Garananga.

The Warriors, however, have since bowed out of contention for a place at the 2026 World Cup following a winless run spanning eight games in Group C.

Zimbabwe sit bottom of the table with four points but they still have a huge say in the group’s destiny. Nees believes the Warriors have an obligation to uphold fair competition despite having nothing much to play for, in as much as qualification is concerned. Zimbabwe will “host” South Africa at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on October 10 before rounding off the campaign against Lesotho four days later, again in South Africa.

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 Calcio), 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), Ta-wanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Walter Musona (Scottland), Prince Dube (Young Africans SC), Than-dolwenkosi Ngwenya (Amazulu)