By Kudakwashe Kutinyo
Zimbabwe national team head coach, Michael Nees, has named a 23-man squad to face Benin and Nigeria in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, that may have brought smiles to the success-starved team.
In a surprise move, former Warriors captain and fan favourite, Knowledge Musona, affectionately known as “The Smiling Assassin”, has been recalled to the team despite announcing his retirement from international duty in 2022. Musona had an impressive record with the Warriors, scoring 24 goals in 49 appearances.
Coach Michael Nees, who successfully coaxed Khama Billiat out of retirement, had been trying to persuade Knowledge Musona to rejoin the Warriors, but his attempts were initially unsuccessful. Nees had openly admired Musona’s playing style, which he believed would be a perfect fit for his team.
The Warriors may be without their captain, Marvelous Nakamba, who is currently nursing an injury sustained during a league match for his English club, Luton Town FC, but has been named in the 23-man squad.
Tawanda Chirewa, the in-form Wolverhampton forward currently on loan at Huddersfield Town, makes a welcome return to the Warriors squad after recovering from an injury that ruled him out of the AFCON qualifiers. Chirewa has been impressive at Huddersfield, earning two Man of the Match awards.
Notably absent from the squad is US-based Warriors defender Teenage Hadebe, who has been excused by coach Michael Nees due to ongoing processing of his US citizenship papers.
To fill the void, two new players have been brought into the squad: Peter Muduhwa, a former Highlanders defender now playing for Scotland FC, and Isheanesu Mauchi from reigning local champions Simba Bhora FC.
The squad features veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi, alongside youngsters Marley Tavaziva and Martin Mapisa.
The defensive lineup is completed by dynamic and versatile defenders Godknows Murwira and Emmanuel Jalai.
The Warriors, under the helm of Michael Nees, will embark on their World Cup journey with two crucial matches, the first against Benin on March 20 in Durban, followed by a clash with Nigeria on March 24 in Uyo.
WARRIORS SQUAD TO FACE BENIN AND NIGERIA
GOALKEEPERS:
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
DEFENDERS:
Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Divine Lunga (Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC). Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Peter Muduhwa (Scottland), Godknows Murwira (Scottland), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos)
MIDFIELDERS:
Marshail Munetsi (Wolves), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Mthokozisi Msebe (Scottland), Khama Billiat (Scottland), Knowledge Musona (Al-Okhdood). Tawanda Chirewa (Huddersfield Town)
FORWARDS:
Prince Dube (Young Africans), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tymon Machope (Scottland), Walter Musona
New Ziana
