Head coach Ramon Catala has not yet named his number one goalkeeper before the double header against Equatorial Guinea. Elvis Chipezeze, at fault against DR Congo, has been left out of the final squad, while Nelson Chadya, the Scottland goalkeeper, seemed to be the favourite.
Zimbabwe begin their third round of AFCON 2027 qualifying without knowing who will keep goal. Speaking to The Herald, head coach Ramon Catala says he has not yet chosen his number one goalkeeper before the trip to Equatorial Guinea on 13 November and the return match at home on 16 November.
It is not a new question. Since George Chigova’s death in 2023, the Warriors have had no settled first choice in the position. The 24-man squad named for this international window includes four goalkeepers.
Chipezeze left out, four goalkeepers called up
Elvis Chipezeze, at fault for a goal in the 2-1 defeat to DR Congo at the National Sports Stadium, is not in the final squad. Aaron Ngwenya, the Highlanders keeper, has been called up by Catala, bringing the number of goalkeepers in the group to four.
Nelson Chadya, the Scottland goalkeeper, had seemed to be in pole position. But the head coach chose to widen the group rather than make a call. “We are not yet sure of the number one goalkeeper, and we want to make the decision after seeing four goalkeepers in training, not just two or three,” he told the Zimbabwean daily.
An uncertainty the staff accept
Catala makes no secret of the situation. Asked about the presence of four keepers in the squad, he replied, again according to The Herald: “Well, it’s because we were not sure who would cover that position, and we needed to see better goalkeepers.” A statement that confirms the competition remains open.
The Warriors’ context does not help. After a 3-2 win over Sierra Leone in Casablanca, the Zimbabweans then fell to DR Congo. Lacking a settled first choice since 2023, the national team is still looking for a goalkeeper capable of making the position his own long term.
Equatorial Guinea in their sights
According to qiumiwu.com, Equatorial Guinea host Zimbabwe on 13 November 2026 in matchday 3 of Group E. The return match, Zimbabwe v Equatorial Guinea, is scheduled for 16 November 2026, on matchday 4.
The four called-up goalkeepers will therefore be watched in training before the decision, according to the head coach.