By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Zimbabwe Warriors head coach Ramon Catalá has named a provisional squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Equatorial Guinea, bringing together experienced internationals, emerging foreign-based players and domestic talent as the national team seeks to strengthen its qualification prospects.
The squad, announced by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), features players based in England, Scotland, Greece, Belgium, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with Catalá casting his selection net wide ahead of Matchdays Three and Four.
Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi headlines a midfield department that includes Marvellous Nakamba, Reading’s Andy Rinomhota, Jonah Fabisch of Golden Arrows and Finland-based Prosper Padera.
Abubakar Moffat and Mthokozisi Msebe have also been included, giving the technical team several options in a department expected to play a crucial role in controlling possession and protecting the defence.
One of the notable features of the provisional squad is the inclusion of Knowledge Musona and Walter Musona in an attacking department that also boasts Wolves winger Tawanda Chirewa and Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise.
Belgium-based Bill Antonio, Highlanders’ Mongameli Tshuma and Prince Dube of Hardrock are among the other forwards selected, alongside Tinotenda Chikore, Thando Ngwenya, Washington Navaya, Junior Zindoga, Leeroy Mavunga, Ishmael Wadi and Daniel Msendami.
The sizeable attacking contingent suggests Catalá is exploring different combinations as he seeks to improve Zimbabwe’s effectiveness in front of goal.
In defence, Watford’s Jordan Zemura leads a group featuring Sheffield Wednesday’s Sean Fusire, Ipswich Town’s Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maroodza of Sarajevo and Scotland-based Kelvin Moyo, Peler Muduhwa and Emmanuel Jalai.
Hardrock defender Tinotenda Muringai completes the defensive options, while Nelson Chadya, Martin Mapisa and Future Sibanda have been selected as the three goalkeepers.
The inclusion of several locally based players offers Zimbabwe’s domestic footballers an opportunity to compete for places alongside professionals playing abroad, although Catalá is expected to reduce the provisional squad before the fixtures.
But there is no place for Elvis Chipezeze who was blamed for costly blunders against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Zimbabwe face an Equatorial Guinea side that has demonstrated its competitiveness on the continental stage, notably reaching the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON tournament, held in Côte d’Ivoire in early 2024.
Equatorial Guinea produced one of the competition’s biggest upsets when they thrashed eventual champions Côte d’Ivoire 4–0 during the group stage, underlining their ability to challenge established African football nations.
