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Catala names Warriors squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers
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Zimbabwe Warriors head coach Ramon Catala has named his final squad for the opening two matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Warriors will open their campaign away to Sierra Leone on September 24 before returning home to face the DRC on September 28, as Zimbabwe seeks a positive start to its qualification campaign.
The AFCON PAMOJA 2027 finals will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with the tournament scheduled for June 19 to July 17 next year.
Catala has retained a mixture of experienced internationals and emerging talent, naming three goalkeepers in Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa and Scotland-based Nelson Chadya.
The defensive department includes Mamelodi Sundowns' Devine Lunga, Munashe Garananga of Lyngby BK, Ipswich Town's Corbin Mthunzi, Sarajevo defender Shane Maroodza and Sheffield Wednesday's Sean Fish.
Scotland-based Emmanuel Jalai and Peter Muduhwa, together with Kevin Moyo and Liverpool youngster Isaac Mabaya, complete the defensive options.
In midfield, Catala has selected Wolverhampton Wanderers' Marshall Munetsi and Reading's Andy Rinomhota alongside Scotland-based Abubakar Moffat, Panetolikos midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and Prosper Padera of SJK Seinajoki.
The attacking options are Thando Ngwenya of AmaZulu, Wolves forward Tawanda Chirewa, Bill Antonio of KV Mechelen, Daniel Msendami of Marumo Gallants, Tawanda Maswanhise of Motherwell, Prince Dube of Hardrock and Tino Kadewere of Aris Salonica.
The squad features a significant mix of Zimbabwean players based abroad and those competing in the domestic Premiership, giving Catala a broad pool of talent as the Warriors begin what is expected to be a demanding qualification campaign.
Zimbabwe are in Group E alongside the DRC, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.
The top two teams in groups without a co-host will qualify automatically for the continental finals.
CAF has confirmed that the opening two matchdays will be played between September 21 and October 6, with the Warriors' immediate focus on securing maximum points from their first two matches and establishing an early advantage in the group.
The 2027 tournament will be the first edition of the AFCON to be jointly hosted by three countries.
The Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa, Nelson Chadya.
Defenders: Devine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maroodza, Sean Fish, Emmanuel Jalai, Peter Muduhwa, Kevin Moyo, Isaac Mabaya.
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Abubakar Moffat, Marvelous Nakamba, Prosper Padera.
Forwards: Thando Ngwenya, Tawanda Chirewa, Bill Antonio, Daniel Msendami, Tawanda Maswanhise, Prince Dube, Tino Kadewere.
Head coach: Ramon Catala.
The Warriors will open their campaign away to Sierra Leone on September 24 before returning home to face the DRC on September 28, as Zimbabwe seeks a positive start to its qualification campaign.
The AFCON PAMOJA 2027 finals will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with the tournament scheduled for June 19 to July 17 next year.
Catala has retained a mixture of experienced internationals and emerging talent, naming three goalkeepers in Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa and Scotland-based Nelson Chadya.
The defensive department includes Mamelodi Sundowns' Devine Lunga, Munashe Garananga of Lyngby BK, Ipswich Town's Corbin Mthunzi, Sarajevo defender Shane Maroodza and Sheffield Wednesday's Sean Fish.
Scotland-based Emmanuel Jalai and Peter Muduhwa, together with Kevin Moyo and Liverpool youngster Isaac Mabaya, complete the defensive options.
In midfield, Catala has selected Wolverhampton Wanderers' Marshall Munetsi and Reading's Andy Rinomhota alongside Scotland-based Abubakar Moffat, Panetolikos midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and Prosper Padera of SJK Seinajoki.
The squad features a significant mix of Zimbabwean players based abroad and those competing in the domestic Premiership, giving Catala a broad pool of talent as the Warriors begin what is expected to be a demanding qualification campaign.
Zimbabwe are in Group E alongside the DRC, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.
The top two teams in groups without a co-host will qualify automatically for the continental finals.
CAF has confirmed that the opening two matchdays will be played between September 21 and October 6, with the Warriors' immediate focus on securing maximum points from their first two matches and establishing an early advantage in the group.
The 2027 tournament will be the first edition of the AFCON to be jointly hosted by three countries.
The Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa, Nelson Chadya.
Defenders: Devine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maroodza, Sean Fish, Emmanuel Jalai, Peter Muduhwa, Kevin Moyo, Isaac Mabaya.
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Abubakar Moffat, Marvelous Nakamba, Prosper Padera.
Forwards: Thando Ngwenya, Tawanda Chirewa, Bill Antonio, Daniel Msendami, Tawanda Maswanhise, Prince Dube, Tino Kadewere.
Head coach: Ramon Catala.
Source - NewZiana
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