Latest Update On Zimbabwe Warriors Upcoming World Cup Fixture
A lot has happened since we released the latest Zimbabwe Warriors Provisional Squad for the upcoming CAF World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa on the 7th and 11th of June 2024 respectively.
Manica Diamond coach Jairos Tapera was unveiled as the interim national team coach on Monday having been appointed last Friday after the Zifa Normalization committee failed to secure a substantial coach in time for the double encounter. He will be assisted by Saul Chaminuka, Takesure Chiragwi, and veteran Sunday Chidzambwa as the technical advisor.
The former Warriors U20 coach acknowledged the squad that was selected by the Zifa NC, but was not satisfied with the strikers available in the current squad.
Macauley Bonne who did duty in that department during the four nations tournament, excused himself this time around as he is currently looking to switch clubs in England.
Tapera tried to reach out to Knowledge Musona and Nyasha Mushekwi to try and convince them to come out of international retirement and beef up the team’s striking force but the former forwards could not be reached in time and Musona is also nursing an injury.
Khama Billiat who was willing to come out of retirement to help the Warriors cause was however omitted due to lack of communication as the former Chiefs forward was not approached.
Polokwane City forward, Douglas Mapfumo, Tymon Machope of Simba Bhora, goalkeeper Geoffrey Chitsumba of Manica Diamond alongside Tawanda Chirewa are the new faces in the squad and will be hoping for their international debuts with the Warriors.
The team of locally based players including the technical stuff are expected to head for their adopted home in South Africa on the 2nd of June 2024 where they will meet up with all foreign based players who wil fly direct to Johannesburg ahead of the first encounter against Lesotho at Orlando Stadium on the 7th of June.
GOALKEEPERS: Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos FC), Godfrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds)
DEFENDERS: Gerald Takwara (Ohod FC), Teenage Hadebe (Konyaspor), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe Garananga (KV Mechelen), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield), Devine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns)
MIDFIELDERS: Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Rotherham United), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading), Joey Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday), Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester City)
FORWARDS: Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora).
