Head coach Ramon Catala has unveiled a provisional squad for the double-header against Equatorial Guinea. Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), at fault against DR Congo, is absent, unlike veteran striker and former captain Knowledge Musona.
The squad was unveiled on 27 October ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. According to Africa Top Sports and The Herald, Ramon Catala has named between 32 and 34 players, the number varying from one source to another, to face Equatorial Guinea twice: on 12 November in Cameroon, then on 16 November at the National Sports Stadium.
The Warriors have 3 points from two matches and sit second in the group, three points behind leaders DR Congo, according to ZBC News.
Chipezeze dropped after his mistake
According to ZBC News, Elvis Chipezeze has been left out of the squad. The Magesi goalkeeper was at fault in the 1-2 defeat to DR Congo. Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba) is called up in his place.
The rest of the squad includes captain Marvelous Nakamba (Panetolikos), retained according to africasoccer.com, as well as Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jordan Zemura (Watford), Tino Kadewere (Aris Thessaloniki) and Andy Rinomhota (Reading).
The Musonas are back
Veteran Knowledge Musona returns to the national team, just after his appointment as assistant player-coach at Scottland, the Zimbabwean champions. The Herald speaks of another sensational return of the former captain to the Warriors.
His brother Walter Musona is also recalled, according to ZBC News, as is Prince Dube, back from injury. Defender Munashe Garananga, meanwhile, is absent through injury.
Rinomhota, the episode closed
Andy Rinomhota’s presence deserves a clarification. The 29-year-old Reading midfielder had been back in the national team since September after withdrawing for family reasons. In his statement reported by the Reading Chronicle, he wrote: “I wish to inform the public that I have had to withdraw from the Zimbabwe Men’s National Team camp, effective immediately, due to an urgent family matter that requires my full personal attention.”
Since his return, he has started Zimbabwe’s last two qualifying matches, again according to the Reading Chronicle.
The same newspaper recalls the continental calendar: AFCON 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, from 19 June to 17 July 2027.