BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe has announced its squad on Tuesday for next week’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Namibia, with Knowledge Musona conspicuous by his absence despite reports that the ex-Warriors captain was nearing an international return.
Zimbabwe’s new German coach Michael Nees had been engaged in talks to convince 34-year-old forward Musona to come out of international retirement, having succeeded in persuading playmaker Khama Billiat to do so.
Substantive captain Marvelous Nakamba returns for the Warriors after a prolonged absence due to injury but Musona – who plays in the Saudi Pro League for the Al-Okhdood Club – isn’t yet ready to for the green-and-gold of his country despite showing interest.
“Negotiations with Knowledge are ongoing and very amicable,” Zifa communications consultant Mike Madoda told SportsCast on Tuesday evening.
“(But) having come from injury and played a handful of games, he feels he hasn’t yet hit peak conditioning. Quite similar to Nakamba, who asked to be excused the last time out as he hadn’t yet reached a level he was comfortable with. The Afcon qualifiers are ultra-competitive and played at an intensity higher than the Saudi league and he wants to return to the Warriors when he’s fully fit and ready to give hundred percent.”
Zimbabwe opened their 2025 Afcon qualification quest with two nil-all draws against Kenya and Cameroon in Uganda in September.
34-year-old talisman Khama Billiat featured in both ties – after agreeing to return to the Warriors fold – showing glimpses of his old self in the two fixtures.
And with Zimbabwe lacking potency in front of goal, there has been some calls in the country for the return of the former Warriors hitman Musona, who announced his retirement from international football in 2022.
Zimbabwe’s next batch of qualifiers, against Namibia, will be played at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg as both countries are currently banned from hosting games due to substandard stadia.
The first match will be on 10 October, with the return fixture on four days later.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will welcome back fullback Brendan Galloway of UK Championship side Plymouth and Nantes striker Tino Kadewere, who both dropped out of September’s qualifiers after picking up injuries.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants, South Africa), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford, England), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos, Zimbabwe).
Defenders: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC, Iraq), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle, England), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Godknows Murwira (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos, Zimbabwe), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati, United States), Jordan Zemura (Udinese, Italy).
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town, England), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims, France), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City, England), Tawanda Chirewa (Derby County, England), Brian Banda (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum, Zimbabwe).
Forwards: Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes, France), Khama Billiat (Yadah FC, Zimbabwe), Prince Dube (Young Africans, Tanzania), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United, South Africa), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell, England, Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants, South Africa), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora, Zimbabwe).
