By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Liverpool right-back Isaac Mabaya has accepted a call-up to the Zimbabwe national team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, according to This Is Anfield.
The Preston-born defender, who qualifies to represent Zimbabwe through his parents, had previously turned down approaches from the Warriors.
Mabaya rejected an approach in 2022 when he was 17, with his father saying at the time that the situation was “too complicated”.
However, according to This Is Anfield, an issue surrounding Mabaya’s passport has now been resolved, while his opportunities to represent England have diminished.
The 21-year-old has subsequently been included in Zimbabwe’s 24-man squad for the September internationals against Sierra Leone on September 24 and the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 28.
Mabaya has represented England up to Under-19 level and will be one of only two uncapped players in coach Ramon Catala’s squad, alongside Scotland FC’s Abubakar Moffat.
He joins several England-based players in the Zimbabwe squad, including Ipswich’s Corbin Mthunzi, Reading’s Andy Rinomhota, Sheffield Wednesday’s Sean Fusire and Wolves pair Tawanda Chirewa and Marshall Munetsi.
According to This Is Anfield the call-up comes at an important stage of Mabaya’s Liverpool career.
The defender, who turns 22 later this month, has been registered in Liverpool’s first-team squad for both the Premier League and Champions League after qualifying as a homegrown and club-trained player.
Mabaya joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of six and is in the final year of his current contract.
While he is not yet considered a regular member of the senior team, his inclusion in the first-team squad represents progress. This Is Anfield noted that he played for Liverpool Under-21s rather than being involved in the first team’s Carabao Cup match against Tottenham earlier this week.
Mabaya spent part of last season on loan at Wigan Athletic, where he suffered an Achilles injury in his first start. He has since returned to full fitness. His involvement with Zimbabwe is expected to provide the young defender with valuable experience of senior international football as he continues his development at Liverpool.
