Chipezeze Dropped as Catala Names Warriors Squad for November AFCON Qualifiers

By Advent Shoko | ZiGoats

Zimbabwe coach Ramon Catala has dropped veteran goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze from his provisional squad for the Warriors’ crucial November 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea.

Chipezeze’s omission is one of the biggest talking points in Catala’s selection after Zimbabwe’s 2-0 defeat to DR Congo at the National Sports Stadium, a result that drew criticism from some supporters over the goalkeeper’s performance.

The Warriors will face Equatorial Guinea home and away as they seek to strengthen their position in the race for a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.

Several Key Players Return

Catala has received a boost with the return of Tino Kadewere, Jordan Zemura, Knowledge Musona, Jonah Fabisch and Prince Dube, who missed Zimbabwe’s opening two qualifiers through injury.

Scottland FC forward Walter Musona has also earned a recall, his first since 2025, when former Warriors coach Marian Marinica left him out of Zimbabwe’s AFCON finals squad.

The returns give Catala more attacking options as Zimbabwe prepare for two matches that could shape their qualifying campaign.

Warriors Face Pressure To Deliver

Zimbabwe head into the November fixtures needing maximum points to keep their qualification hopes on track.

The Warriors are second in their group behind DR Congo, who have won their opening two matches. Dropping more points would make Zimbabwe’s path to the finals increasingly difficult.

Catala will now assess his provisional squad before settling on the final selection for the double-header.

The coach’s challenge will be to find the right balance between experience and fresh options while turning Zimbabwe’s potential into results on the pitch.

Full Warriors Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

• Nelson Chadya (Scottland FC)
• Martin Mapisa (Hardrock FC)
• Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba)

Defenders

• Jordan Zemura (Watford)
• Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo)
• Kelvin Moyo (Scottland FC)
• Peter Muduhwa (Scottland FC)
• Emmanuel Jalai (Scottland FC)
• Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday)
• Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town)
• Tinotenda Muringai (Hardrock FC)

Midfielders

• Marvellous Nakamba (Panetolikos)
• Marshall Munetsi (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
• Andy Rinomhota (Reading)
• Jonah Fabisch (Golden Arrows)
• Abubakar Moffat (Scottland FC)
• Mthokozisi Msebe (Scottland FC)
• Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki)

Forwards

• Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC)
• Walter Musona (Scottland FC)
• Mongameli Tshuma (Highlanders)
• Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen)
• Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
• Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell)
• Tino Kadewere (Aris Thessaloniki)
• Thando Ngwenya (AmaZulu)
• Prince Dube (Hardrock FC)
• Washington Navaya (Hardrock FC)
• Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy)
• Leeroy Mavunga (Dynamos)
• Ishmael Wadi (Caps United)
• Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants)

Head coach: Ramon Catala

The Warriors will need to turn the returning players’ experience and the squad’s depth into results as they chase a place at AFCON 2027.