Warriors pictured in training during their recent trip to BotswanaInnocent Kurira, innocent.kurira.chronicle.co.zw
ZIMBABWEAN football fans have been waiting for this moment for a long time. The Warriors are back in action, and they are aiming for the ultimate prize: a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The national team has been in isolation for a while, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the suspension of international matches. They have only played two friendly games against Namibia and Botswana, which were not recognised by FIFA.
But now, the real challenge begins. The Warriors are in Group C of the African qualifiers, along with Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Rwanda, and Lesotho. They will face tough opponents and tricky conditions, but they are determined to make their country proud.
The journey starts in Rwanda, where the Warriors will play their first match on November 15. They will then host Nigeria in a home game that will be played in Kigali, Rwanda on November 19. This is because the National Sports Stadium in Harare and Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo have been banned by CAF for failing to meet the required standards.
The Warriors are coached by Baltemar Brito, who is assisted by Bongani Mafu and Genesis Mangombe. They have selected a mix of local and foreign-based players, who will join forces in Rwanda. The local players left for Rwanda yesterday, while the foreign players will arrive on Sunday or Monday, depending on their club commitments.
Warriors leave for Rwanda
The team is confident and motivated, and they have received a boost from the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ), which donated travelling gear to the Warriors. The gear includes t-shirts and rain jackets, which will come in handy in the rainy season.
ZIFA normalisation committee member and former Mighty Warriors captain Rosemary Mugadza thanked FUZ for their gesture and appealed to the corporate world to support the national team.
"We are grateful for the donation that we have received from FUZ. Thank you for coming on board, we appreciate this gesture. Let's keep the partnership growing each and every year. We plead with the corporate world to come and partner with ZIFA in this journey," Mugadza said.
Warriors Squad:
Goalkeepers: Donavan Bernard (Chicken Inn), Washington Arubi (SuperSport United), Martin Mapisa (FC Malaga City) and Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)
Defenders: Tendayi Darikwa (Apolon Limassol), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Peter Muduhwa (Highlanders), Frank Makarati (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), Munashe Garan'anga (Sheriff Tiraspol), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Jordan Zemura (Udinese) and Tivonge Rushesha (Reading)
Midfielders: Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City),Marvellous Nakamba (Luton City), Gerald Takwara (Ohod) and Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool)
Strikers: Obriel Chirinda (Bulawayo City), Prince Dube (Azam), Tinotenda Kadewere (Lyon), Admiral Muskwe (Exeter City), Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Terence Dzvukamanja (SuperSport United), Leon Chiwome (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester City).