By Tapiwa Chawagarira
Zimbabwe Warriors head coach Ramon Catala has named his final squad for the opening two matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers, with the national team set for crucial Group E encounters against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Warriors will begin their campaign away to Sierra Leone before returning home to face the Democratic Republic of Congo, as Zimbabwe seeks a strong start in its bid to qualify for the continental finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027. CAF has confirmed that Matchdays One and Two will be played between September 21 and October 6.
Catala has retained a blend of experienced international players and promising talent, with three goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa, and Scotland’s Nelson Chadya.
The defensive department includes Mamelodi Sundowns’ Devine Lunga, Munashe Garananga of Lyngby BK, Ipswich Town’s Corbin Mthunzi, Sarajevo defender Shane Maroodza, and Sheffield Wednesday’s Sean Fish, as well as Scotland duo Emmanuel Jalai and Peter Muduhwa. Kevin Moyo and Liverpool youngster Isaac Mabaya complete the defensive options.
In midfield, Catala has called up established stars Marshall Munetsi of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Andy Rinomhota of Reading, alongside Scotland’s Abubakar Moffat, Panetolikos midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, and Prosper Padera of SJK Seinajoki.
The attack will be led by Thando Ngwenya of AmaZulu, Tawanda Chirewa of Wolves, Bill Antonio of KV Mechelen, Daniel Msendami of Marumo Gallants, Tawanda Maswanhise of Motherwell, Prince Dube of Hardrock, and Tino Kadewere of Aris Salonica.
The squad also represents a significant mix of Zimbabwean players based abroad and those competing in the domestic Premiership, reflecting the national team’s ongoing search for depth ahead of a demanding qualification campaign.
Zimbabwe are in Group E alongside DR Congo, Sierra Leone, and Equatorial Guinea. The top two teams in groups without a co-host will qualify automatically for AFCON PAMOJA 2027.
The Warriors’ opening match against Sierra Leone is scheduled for September 24, while the second match against DR Congo is set for September 28, according to CAF’s published fixtures.
For Zimbabwe, the immediate target will be to collect maximum points from the opening two matches and establish an early advantage in what promises to be a tightly contested group.
The AFCON PAMOJA 2027 finals will take place from June 19 to July 17 next year, marking the first time the tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries.
The Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa, Nelson Chadya.
Defenders: Devine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maroodza, Sean Fish, Emmanuel Jalai, Peter Muduhwa, Kevin Moyo, Isaac Mabaya.
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Abubakar Moffat, Marvelous Nakamba, Prosper Padera.
Forwards: Thando Ngwenya, Tawanda Chirewa, Bill Antonio, Daniel Msendami, Tawanda Maswanhise, Prince Dube, Tino Kadewere.
Head coach: Ramon Catala.
