Peter Ndlovu rally behind Warriors ahead of Lesotho tie

Former Zimbabwe captain Peter Ndlovu and other football legends visited the Warriors' training base in South Africa to motivate the team ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa. Zimbabwe will "host" Lesotho at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday before traveling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on Tuesday. The match against Lesotho will start at 3 PM.

Due to the lack of a Caf-certified stadium in Zimbabwe, the Warriors are playing their home match in South Africa. The team began training in Johannesburg on Monday. Ndlovu was accompanied by Edelbert Dinha, Alexander Maseko, Kingstone Nkhata, Tapuwa Kapini, Zhaimu Jambo, and Innocent Chikoya during the visit.

Warriors media officer Mike Madoda praised the visit, saying it provided valuable encouragement and motivation to the players. In other positive news, striker Tawanda Chirewa has obtained his Zimbabwean passport, making him eligible to play against Lesotho. Chirewa, who was born in England to Zimbabwean parents, flew to Harare to sort out his papers and returned to Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The Warriors' camp has faced some challenges, with Walter Musona missing training due to illness and midfielder Andy Rinemhota picking up a minor knock. Defender Teenage Hadebe joined the camp after dealing with club-related issues, while Brendon Galloway is ruled out due to injury.

Despite these setbacks, the team's training has gone well, including a productive video analysis session focused on Lesotho's recent matches. Zimbabwe, under interim coach Jairosi Tapera, will aim for their first win in the group after drawing with Rwanda and Nigeria in previous matches.

Warriors squad

Goalkeepers: Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos), Geofrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds).

Defenders: Gerald Takwara (Ohod, Saudi Arabia), Teenage Hadebe (Konyaspor, Turkey), Munashe Garananga (Kv Mechelen, Belgium), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield, ENG), Devine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, SA).

Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims, (FR), Andy Rinemhota (Rotherham United (ENG), Jordan Zemura (Udenese, Italy), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading, ENG), Joey Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday, ENG), Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester City, ENG).

Forwards: Tinotenda Kadewere (Fc Nantes, FR), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton, ENG), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane, SA), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora).