Kadewere injured, again!

The Zimbabwean national football team, the Warriors, is set to regroup in Polokwane today for a critical 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Kenya this Friday. However, the squad will be missing striker Tinotenda Kadewere, who has been ruled out due to an injury sustained during a French Ligue 1 match against Marseille.

Kadewere, who scored for Nantes in that game despite a 2-1 loss, aggravated an injury that will keep him sidelined for the next four weeks. His absence marks his fifth missed game since September, a blow for the Warriors as they push for qualification. Despite his goal drought in recent appearances for the national team, Kadewere has continued to receive backing from head coach Michael Nees, who included him in the squad for the upcoming games against Kenya and Cameroon.

"Tino was hoping to make a return and had communicated with the coach. However, his injury requires a full recovery to avoid further setbacks," said a source close to Kadewere.

The Warriors are second in Group J with eight points, trailing Cameroon by two points and leading Kenya by four. A draw against the Harambee Stars on Friday would secure Zimbabwe's spot in the AFCON tournament, where they hope to join teams like Morocco, Angola, Algeria, and Egypt, who have already qualified. A victory in Polokwane would guarantee Zimbabwe's sixth appearance in the biennial competition.

Walter Musona, who has shown outstanding form for Simba Bhora in the local league, will be a key figure for the Warriors in Kadewere's absence. Musona's recent performances, including his role in securing Simba Bhora's first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship, have boosted his confidence ahead of national duty. "Winning the championship with Simba Bhora was hard-earned and gives me confidence going into the national team games. We are almost there; we just need to finish the job," Musona shared.

Alongside Musona, other local-based players called up by Nees include goalkeeper Martin Mapisa and Emmanuel Jalai from Dynamos, Godknows Murwira from CAPS United, Richard Hachiro from Ngezi Platinum Stars, Khama Billiat from Yadah FC, and Tymon Machope from Simba Bhora. The group will travel to Polokwane via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Coach Michael Nees highlighted the unique demands of this condensed qualifying schedule, with matches held bi-monthly since September. "This has been like a crash course," Nees remarked. "In just about 10 weeks, we are completing the entire qualification process. It's a very unique AFCON qualification."

After Friday's match against Kenya, the Warriors will face Cameroon in their final group match four days later, seeking to cement their place in the 2025 AFCON.

Warriors squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)

DEFENDERS: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese)

MIDFIELDERS: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum)

FORWARDS: Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Terrence Dzvukamanja (SuperSport United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City)