Zambia, Zimbabwe rekindle rivalry in Four Nations semi-final

WARRIORS will rekindle their rivalry against Zambia when the two sides meet in the second semi-final match of the four nations invitational tournament that kicks off at Malawi’s Ningu National Stadium tomorrow.

The Warriors were invited to take part in the contest that will also feature the hosts Malawi and Kenya.

A similar contest for Under 20 sides from the same countries, which started on Wednesday at Lilongwe’s Silver Stadium, was the curtain raiser for the seniors competition, which will see Malawi take on Kenya in the first semi-final match set for tomorrow afternoon.

The winners will clash in the final while the losers face off in the third-place battle next Tuesday.

The games will be used by all the teams as part of preparations for the resumption of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.

These are friendly matches that have been endorsed by Warriors coach, Norman Mapeza and Turkey based central defender, Teenage Hadebe.

“It’s a game of football, we need to win our games but it’s much about the assessment of these boys, especially the guys who have not been here before,” said Mapeza.

Towering and lanky Hadebe, a veteran of many Warriors battles, said he hopes similar engagements will be organised time and again.

“Friendly matches allow the coaches to assess the players’ performances. We need these preparations, but I just hope they keep organising similar games even against other countries, so that when we get to the World Cup qualifiers, we will be sharp. It’s been long since the team played friendly matches, which I believe can be key in building combinations within the squad.

“Currently our squad is on the transition, where we have new blood coming in, so it is important to have the guys with more experience guiding and leading the new guys in games like these,” said the Makokoba raised former Chicken Inn, Highlanders and Bantu Rovers player.

France based midfield enforcer, Marshal Munetsi said: “It’s amazing because this is something that we have always wanted as players, to have some preparations and to know each other, especially heading to big games. It’s important to have guys coming from all over. We have already started to have some cohesion in the team, which I think is going to be good for us as we prepare for what is going to come in June.

“It’s important to be here because we can’t go to a game without knowing each other like what we have been doing all along. We come from different teams with different playing systems. We have to find our own football culture, our own system and our own style of play. It’s a huge step for us, a good thing that the association is doing.”

The Mapeza led Warriors technical team named a strong squad and the turnout from the players was very impressive.

Zambia, who are fondly known as Chipolopolo, has also named a full-strength squad for the games.

Speaking ahead of the battle of Zambezi, Zambia coach Avram Grant, who is a former Chelsea manager, said he trusts that the tie against Mapeza’s men, will present his side with an ideal examination.

“It will be a very good test because, first, Zimbabwe is a very good team. I saw their squad, they have so many players who play in England and Turkey, which I’m sure will also happen to us one day. We have young players, the young generation, who are coming up in the national team,” Grant told Malawian media.

Warriors Squad

Goalkeepers
Martin Mapisa, Donovan Bernard, Marley Tavaziva

Defenders
Shane Maroodza, Divine Lunga, Gerald Takwara, Kevin Moyo, Teenage Hadebe, Peter Muduhwa, Munashe Garananga, Emmanuel Jalai, Jordan Zemura, Joey Phuthi

Midfielders
Marshall Munetsi, Junior Makunike, Andy Rinomhota, Tivonge Rushesha, Tawanda Chirewa, Walter Musona

Strikers
Tinotenda Kadewere, Daniel Msendami, Tawanda Maswanhise, Macauley Bonne.