Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe are not alone in battling a curse of injuries in their camp as their opponents for Thursday’s 2027 AFCON qualifier, Sierra Leone, have also been forced to make injury-induced changes following the withdrawal of two key players.
The two countries suffered setbacks with Zimbabwe yesterday announcing that two of their forwards, Tino Kadewere and Prince Dube, had been dropped after they picked up knocks at the weekend.
Warriors coach Ramon Catala yesterday responded, calling the Premiership top goal scorer Washington Navaya, and also made a surprise pick when ZIFA announced Dynamos’ winger Leroy Mavunga will be joining the rest of the squad in Casablanca ahead of Thursday’s Group E opener.
The Warriors set up base in Casablanca yesterday after new Warriors coach Catala and a group of local based players left on Sunday afternoon, after featuring for their teams in the Premiership matches.
The early birds included Marvelous Nakamba, Thando Ngwenya, Tawanda Chirewa, and Corbin Mthunzi, who joined local players Martin Mapisa, Nelson Chadya, Peter Muduhwa, Kevin Moyo , Em-manuel Jalai, and Abubakar Moffat for the start of the camp.
The injury setbacks have not only affected the Warriors. Sierra Leone were forced to withdraw midfielder Hindolo Mustapha and US-based defender Emmanuel Samadia from their plans after the pair was reported injured.
Mustapha is an attacking midfielder at English Premier League club Crystal Palace and currently on loan at EFL League One club Notts County. He has been replaced by midfielder Kallum Ceesay of EFL League Two club Salford City.
French coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa replaced defender Samadia with Alex Bangura of Middlesbrough in England.
The Leone Stars delegation landed in Casablanca on Sunday before proceeding to El Jadida, where the team will set-up a training camp for preparations.
Zimbabwe will clash with Sierra Leone at Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco, before returning home to host the DRC at the National Sports Stadium next Monday.
Sierra Leone have picked an alternative venue in Morocco since they do not have a CAF approved stadium in their country.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe have received a huge boost ahead of the qualifiers after the National Sports Stadium was approved in time for the start of the marathon after a refurbishment project under-taken by Government and private partners, who include Sakunda Holdings.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Nicholas Moyo, yesterday announced the stadium will be officially opened next Monday when Zimbabwe host DRC in their second Group E match. He told journalists at a press conference yesterday that the upcoming matches for the Warriors and Young Warriors will be a celebration of Zimbabwe’s return to the home ground after five years playing home matches on foreign soil.
He said the National Sports Stadium has ticked most of the boxes after a trial run that included a league match between Scottland and CAPS United, the CAF Champions League match between Scottland and Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini and the night match between Scottland and AGAMA over the weekend. The work at the National Sports Stadium has not ended, but the remaining issues have no bearing on hosting international fixtures.
“The return of international football to the nation’s sports stadium marks an important stage in Government’s effort to restore, modernise and reposition Zimbabwe’s premier sporting facility,” Moyo said.
“Following an extensive programme of rehabilitation and upgrading of the National Sports Stadium, we are now prepared to resume Zimbabwe’s role in the stadium as a venue for major continental and international sporting events.
“The Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture is the custodian of the stadium, and it has taken the overall responsibility of ensuring that the facility is not only physically rehabilitated, but it is also operational, ready to support and deliver a successful story of Zimbabwean soccer.
“Our responsibility therefore extends beyond just the infrastructure. We focus on the technical systems, media and production facilities.
“It’s not only about the playing surface, but also ensuring that the overall match day environment is up to standard.”
Moyo added that refurbishment work is an ongoing process and more resources will be channelled towards the facility’s rehabilitation. The National Sports Stadium will return with a capacity of 31 000 for the first phase and will later on increase to 44 000.
“They are still finishing and cleaning up the smaller things. So, for me, I can say, watch this space. But we urge people to buy tickets in advance for the coming matches because the limit is 30 000,” he said.
Sierra Leone squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Mamadou Jalloh (VPS Vaasan — Finland), Francis Koroma (Katsina United — Nigeria), Ibrahim Sesay (Alashkert FC — Armenia)
DEFENDERS: Abdulai Juma Bah (Augsburg FC — Germany), Alex Bangura (Middlesbrough — England), Alpha Turay (EL’Gouna — Egypt), Abdul Jarju Kabia (Minsk FC — Belarus), Sallieu Tarawallie (FC Kallon — Sierra Leone), MJ Kamson-Kamara (Kilmarnock FC — Scotland), Osman Kakay (Kosice FC — Slovakia), Mohamed Fofanah (East End Lions — Sierra Leone)
MIDFIELDERS: Sullay Kaikai (Cambridge United — England), Saidu Bah Kamara (Commercial Bank – Ethiopia), Tyrese Fornah (Northampton FC — England), Azeem Kerr Abdulai (Hibernian — Scotland), Hindolo Mustapha (Notts County — England), Momoh I. Kamara (Elfsborg IF — Sweden), Saidu Fofanah (Free Agent)
FORWARDS: Ra’ees Bangura William (Cambridge United — England), Santigie Yusuf Sesay (Arsenal Tivat – Montenegro), Alhassan Koroma (Baniyas — UAE), Daniel Kanu (Notts County — England), Joshua A. Koroma (Chesterfield — England), Idris Kanu (Barnet — England), Alie Conteh (Inter Turku FC — Finland)
Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipeze — Magesi
Martin Mapisa — Hardrock
Nelson Chadya — Scottland
Defenders: Divine Lunga — Mamelodi Sundowns
Munashe Garananga — Lyngby BK
Corbin Mthunzi — Ipswich Town
Shane Maroodza — Sarajevo
Sean Fusire — Sheffield Wednesday
Emmanuel Jalai — Scottland
Peter Muduhwa — Scottland
Kevin Moyo — Scottland
Isaac Mabaya — Liverpool
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi — Wolves
Andy Rinomhota — Reading F.C
Abubakar Moffat — Scottland
Marvellous Nakamba — Panetokilos
Prosper Padera — SJK Seinajoki
Forwards: Thando Ngwenya — Amazulu
Tawanda Chirewa — Wolves
Bill Antonio — KV Mechelen
Daniel Msendami — Marumo Gallants
Tawanda Maswanhise — Motherwell
Leroy Mavunga — Dynamos
Washington Navaya — Hardrock
