By Advent Shoko | ZiGoats
Warriors coach Ramón Catalá has made some notable selection calls, dropping Prince Dube and the Musona brothers, Knowledge and Walter, from Zimbabwe’s final 24-man squad for the crucial back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea.
The three forwards had been included in the provisional squad announced last week but failed to make the final cut as Catalá trimmed his selection ahead of the November double-header.
One of the biggest talking points is the omission of Knowledge Musona, the former Warriors captain, who had returned to the provisional squad after missing the previous international window.
His brother Walter has also been left out, while Prince Dube, who plays for Hardrock, will not be part of the travelling squad.
Catalá has, however, retained a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent as Zimbabwe look to revive their qualification campaign.
Aaron Ngwenya earns first Warriors call-up
Highlanders goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya is among the notable inclusions, earning his first senior national team call-up after impressing at club level. He replaces Elvis Chipezeze who was not even included in the provisional squad.
Ngwenya joins Martin Mapisa of Hardrock, Future Sibanda of ZPC Kariba and Nelson Chadya of Scottland as the four goalkeeping options.
Scottland, the reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, have the strongest representation, with six players making the final squad.
They include Chadya, defenders Kelvin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa and Emmanuel Jalai, as well as midfielders Abubakar Moffat and Mthokozisi Msebe.
The selection also features several familiar faces, including Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi, Marvellous Nakamba, Andy Rinomhota and Jonah Fabisch.
Versatile defender Jordan Zemura, Tawanda Maswanhise, Bill Antonio and Tino Kadewere provide further international experience and attacking options.
Warriors face defining double-header
The squad announcement comes at an important stage of Zimbabwe’s AFCON 2027 qualification campaign.
The Warriors dropped valuable points after losing 2-0 to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium in their previous qualifying match, leaving them with little room for further mistakes.
Zimbabwe are looking for maximum points from the two encounters to strengthen their position and keep their qualification hopes firmly alive.
The first meeting against Equatorial Guinea is scheduled for 12 November, with the match to be played at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé, Cameroon, after the opponents’ home fixture was moved to a neutral venue.
The two sides will then meet again in Harare on 16 November, with the National Sports Stadium set to host the return leg.
The double-header presents Catalá with an opportunity to turn the Warriors’ campaign around, but it also puts pressure on his selection decisions, particularly following the omission of some established attacking options.
Zimbabwe will need to be more clinical in front of goal and disciplined defensively if they are to collect the points required.
For the supporters, the expectation is clear. The Warriors must deliver when it matters.
Final Warriors squad
Goalkeepers
- Martin Mapisa (Hardrock)
- Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba)
- Nelson Chadya (Scottland)
- Aaron Ngwenya (Highlanders)
Defenders
- Jordan Zemura (Watford)
- Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town)
- Tinotenda Muringai (Hardrock)
- Kelvin Moyo (Scottland)
- Peter Muduhwa (Scottland)
- Emmanuel Jalai (Scottland)
- Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday)
- Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo)
Midfielders
- Abubakar Moffat (Scottland)
- Mthokozisi Msebe (Scottland)
- Marshall Munetsi (Wolves)
- Andy Rinomhota (Reading)
- Jonah Fabisch (Golden Arrows)
- Marvellous Nakamba (Panetolikos)
Forwards
- Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves)
- Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell)
- Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen)
- Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants)
- Tinotenda Kadewere (Aris Salonica)
- Thando Ngwenya (AmaZulu)
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