Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Michael Nees will need to work on a new midfield formation as the three men that started in the last FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying game are set to miss the upcoming match against Benin.
Skipper Marshall Munetsi, Khama Billiat and England-based Andy Rinomhota were notable absentees from the squad announced by Nees yesterday ahead of the qualifying matches against Benin and Rwanda starting next week.
Zimbabwe are set to face West African side Benin at Alassane Quattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Cote d’Ivoire on September 5 before travelling to South Africa where they host Rwanda at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg four days later.
However, the build up to the two key matches suffered a big blow following the suspension of Wolves star Munetsi for the Benin game while Billiat, a key member of the squad in the last 15 years, was ruled out through injury.
Nees broke with tradition and instead of announcing his squad via a media conference, only released it through a statement issued by ZIFA.
Rinomhota, who has been club-hunting after leaving relegated English Football League One side Cardiff, asked to be excused as he is finalising a move to a new team.
“Munetsi is out of the Benin game due to suspension. But he will join the rest of the squad in Johannesburg for our match against Rwanda,” said ZIFA spokesperson, Mike Madoda.
Munetsi and Rinomhota were the two midfield anchors when Zimbabwe drew 1-1 with Nigeria in their last World Cup qualifying match at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in March while Billiat played behind the strikers.
The big question is, in the absence of Rinomhota and Munetsi, who is Nees likely to play in that midfield hole against Benin?
Nees also made a huge gamble, calling in England-based skipper Marvellous Nakamba despite the midfielder being terribly short of game time.
The injury-prone Warriors skipper is yet to feature at English side Luton this season, following the team’s relegation to League One.
Nees also gambled with the inclusion of the German-based Jonah Fabisch, Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday) and Prosper Padera (SJK) who are virtually untested at this level of the game.
The three players impressed the German gaffer’s eye during the June international friendlies with Fusire and Fabisch getting game time when Zimbabwe played two games against Burkina Faso and Niger in Morocco.
It was the first time for England-born Fusire to get the national team call.
The 20-year-old Sheffield Wednesday prospect showed great promise while Fabisch, who has had previous call ups, also put on a decent show that seemed convince Nees.
Fabisch plays for FC Erzgebirg Aue in the German third division.
But the find of the season was Padera.
The 18-year-old Mutare-born footballer and product of Majesa Academy, was one of the best performing players in the team that was selected to play at the COSAFA Cup tournament in June.
He has been making progress in his career playing at Finnish top-flight side SJK FC. MWOS midfielder Abubakar Moffat was probably the biggest loser in the selection.
Despite his impressive form since returning home from Spain to join the Premiership new boys, Moffat has done well to get the domestic football fraternity talking.
After being FC Platinum’s talisman, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has made an instant impact at South African Premiership side AmaZulu and his exploits have caught Nees’ attention.
Fringe goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva of Brentford development side was the other notable absentee in the 24-member squad announced by Nees yesterday, along with Prince Dube, Daniel Msendami, Douglas Mapfumo and Tymon Machope.
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)
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Wolves), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirg Aue)
Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Prosper Padera (SJK), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Knowledge Musona (Scottland)
Forwards: Terrence Dzvukamanja (Scottland), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Walter Musona (Scottland), Tino Kadewere (Aris Saloniki), Thando Ngwenya (AmaZulu
