Zimbabwe’s dream of competing at a FIFA World Cup finals continues, with the 2026 edition African qualifiers set to resume next week.
The Warriors are gearing up for crucial fixtures against Lesotho on Friday, June 7 in Johannesburg, and South Africa on Tuesday, June 11 in Bloemfontein.
Despite their five CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearances, the Warriors have yet to grace the global showpiece. However, the expansion of the World Cup to 48 nations, with nine places guaranteed for Africa plus a play-off position, has rekindled Zimbabwe’s hopes of qualifying.
Drawn in a challenging Group C, Zimbabwe faces stiff competition from African giants Nigeria, surprise group leaders Rwanda, and Benin.
The Warriors have had a decent start to their campaign, earning a goalless draw against Rwanda and holding the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw. These results have set the stage for their upcoming matches against Lesotho and South Africa.
Caretaker coach Jairos Tapera has named a formidable 23-man squad, featuring a mix of experienced campaigners and promising talents. The squad is headlined by several European-based players who bring quality and experience to the team.
The defense is bolstered by Brendan Galloway of Plymouth Argyle in England and Teenage Hadebe from Konyaspor in Turkey. Young left-back Shane Maroodza, who plays for Huddersfield Town in England, adds youthful exuberance to the backline.
The inclusion of Munashe Garananga from KV Mechelen in Belgium and Devine Lunga of Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa ensures a solid defensive setup.
In midfield, the Warriors boast a blend of creativity and steel. Marshall Munetsi, who plies his trade at Stade Reims in France, will be crucial in linking defense and attack.
The midfield also features Tawanda Maswanhise from Leicester City, Joey Phuthi of Sheffield Wednesday, and Andy Rinomhota from Rotherham United, all of whom bring diverse skill sets to the team.
The youthful energy of Tivonge Rushesha from Reading and the experience of Jordan Zemura from Udinese in Italy further strengthen the midfield options.
The striking department is led by the prolific Tawanda Chirewa of Wolverhampton Wanderers, who is expected to spearhead the attack. Tinotenda Kadewere from Nantes in France and Walter Musona from Simba Bhora provide additional firepower upfront.
The squad also includes Douglas Mapfumo from Polokwane City in South Africa and Tymon Machope of Simba Bhora, ensuring a variety of attacking options for the Warriors.
The goalkeeping responsibilities will be shared among Godfrey Chitsumba of Manica Diamonds, Bernard Donovan from Chicken Inn, and Martin Mapisa from Dynamos, giving the team a solid last line of defense.
Zimbabwe’s fixtures against Lesotho and South Africa are pivotal. Victory in these matches could significantly boost their chances of progressing further in the qualifiers. The Warriors will rely on their European-based stars to provide the cutting edge needed to secure positive results.
As the Warriors prepare for these critical encounters, the nation’s hopes rest on their shoulders. With a strong squad and a blend of experience and youthful talent, Zimbabwe is poised to make a significant impact in their quest for a historic World Cup qualification.
Photo: CAF Online
