The Warriors of Zimbabwe are gearing up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with the 2026 African qualifiers set to resume next week.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fixtures, Head Coach Jairos Tapera has named a strong squad of 23 players, including several European-based players such as Marshal Munetsi, Tawanda Chiwera, Marvelous Nakamba, Brendan Galloway, and 20-year-old left-back Shane Maroodza.
The Warriors will first face Lesotho in Johannesburg on Friday, 07 June, followed by a match against South Africa on Tuesday, 11 June – in Bloemfontein.
Drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Rwanda, and Benin, the Zimbabwean team has made a decent start to their campaign, securing a goalless draw against Rwanda and holding Nigeria to a 1-1 draw.
The team has a strong history in the CAF AFCON with five appearances but is yet to make it to the FIFA World Cup. The tournament has now been expanded to 48 nations, with nine places guaranteed for Africa and a play-off position.
The Warriors Squad for Matches against Lesotho and South Africa
Goalkeepers: Godfrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds), Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)
Defenders: Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle, England), Munashe Garananga (KV Mechelen, Belgium), Teenage Hadebe (Konyaspor, Turkey), Devine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield Town, England), Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Gerald Takwara (Ohod, Saudi Arabia)
Midfielders: Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester City, England), Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana), Marshall Munetsi (Stade Reims, France), Joey Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Andy Rinomhota (Rotherham United, England), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading, England), Jordan Zemura (Udinese, Italy)
Strikers: Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Tinotenda Kadewere (Nantes, France), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City, South Africa), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora).
