Looking At Uncapped Players Who Could Make Their Debuts For Zimbabwe Warriors In The WCQ
With only a day left to go before the Warriors resume their 2026 CAF World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa four days later, the upcoming fixtures takes on added significance for a number of players looking to work their way into the Warriors squad.
Though Jairos Tapera might be basing the selection of his squad for the two games on the tried and tested players, there is still chance for wildcard options to throw in one or two debutants into the final squads.
The 2026 World cup qualifiers has brought call-ups for four untried talents and soca263 have assessed them to see who could make their international debuts in the upcoming schedule.
Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Having had a breakthrough season in the English premier league with Wolvermpton Wanderers where he made eight appearance for the senior team, the 20-year-old right-winger is one of the most exciting inclusion in the Warriors squad.
The England born young star has flourished since joining Wolves from Ipswich Town in September 2023, impressing for the U21s before invited to train with the first team.
Chirewa made his debut for Wolves senior team, as a second-half substitute, in the FA Cup away to Brentford on 5 January 2024.
He followed that up with a Premier League debut, as a second-half substitute, in a 0–0 draw away to Brighton & Hove on 22 January 2024.
Though Chirewa is reportedly still waiting for his passport to be eligible to play, he remains one of the talented youngster to look forward to ahead of the crucial encounters.
Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City)
Mapfumo was initially overlooked for a first Warriors call-up during the four nations tournament, but his consistence performance for Polokwane City has persuaded the selectors to include him into the squad.
The 24-year-old forward who like Musona followed an unorthodox way into South Africa premier league – having coming straight from Zimbabwe academy to join Bidvest Wits, has made some huge strides after joining Polokwane City in July 2023.
Though he hasn’t scored a lot of goals for City this season having banged only three goals in 21 appearances in the South African Premier league, Mapfumo who his former boss John Comittis likened to Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku can contribute a lot with his physic and off the ball movements.
His familiarity with the South African terrain could play as an advantage for his selection into the team. His physical robust could be of huge importance working around players like Tinotenda Kadewere and Walter Musona in attack.
Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora)
At 28 years of age, Machope probably thought his chance with the Warriors national team had long gone.
However, the Simba Bhora striker who in the last couple of years did not think of making it as a professional footballer as he was employed as a general worker at a tobacco farm in Rusape, has been named in Warriors’ squad for the first time and will be hoping to earn his first cap.
Machope who is considered one of the best strikers in Zimbabwe premier soccer league played himself into Warriors squad courtesy of a fine start to the campaign with Simba Bhora. As Tapera looked to add fresh faces to the striking force department that has been left weakened with the unavailability of Macauley Bonne who impressed in the previous games.
Machope though not like-for-like swap for Bonne, but there is plenty of optimism around the Simba Bhora striker who could rise to prominence as one of the attacking talents in the Warriors squad and is able to play anywhere across the front three.
Machope is blessed with pace, technically astute and could partner both Kadewere and Musona in attack.
His strong physique and continued goal-scoring form clearly caught the eye of interim coach, Jairos Tapera.
The enterprising striker has scored four goals for his club in the Premier Soccer League and will be looking forward to his debut alongside other uncapped forwards in Tawanda Chirewa of Wolves in England and Douglas Mapfumo who scored three goals for Polokwane City in South Africa.
Geoffrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds)
Geoffrey Chitsumba has shown himself to be a composed and assured presence between the goal post for the high flying Manica Diamonds.
Chitsumba, who has battled the odds to force himself into the picture, will be competing for a first start against Bernard Donovan of Chicken Inn and Martin Mapisa who returned from Spain to join Dynamos.
Chitsumba has only conceded nine goals in 14 fixtures, nine clean sheets and has helped Manica Diamonds to the top of the league having won nine from their current 14 games played so far. He is in the race for golden glove in the Zimbabwe premier league.
He is definitely aiming for his maiden cap when in Warriors’ upcoming fixtures against Lesotho and South Africa.
