Zimbabwe national team coach Michael Nees has announced his 24-man Warriors squad for next month’s crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda. While the squad features a mix of seasoned internationals and promising youngsters, a midfield crisis threatens to derail Zimbabwe’s hopes before a ball is even kicked.
The team announcement, made on Thursday, sees 39-year-old veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi headline the call-ups. He is joined by fellow shot-stoppers Elvis Chipezeze and Martin Mapisa. In defence, Nees will rely on the experience of Teenage Hadebe, Jordan Zemura, Divine Lunga and Munashe Garananga. Up front, France-based striker Tino Kadewere returns alongside Terrence Dzvukamanja, while Knowledge and Walter Musona also make the cut. A youthful edge comes from the inclusion of Jonah Fabisch, Sean Fusire, Prosper Padera and AmaZulu’s 22-year-old forward Thando Ngwenya.
But beyond the depth in defence and attack, it is in midfield where cracks have appeared. Injuries, suspensions and controversial omissions have left Nees scrambling for solutions in the heart of the team. Vice-captain Marshal Munetsi, one of the Warriors’ most consistent performers, will miss the first match against Benin on September 5 due to suspension after accumulating yellow cards. His absence strips Zimbabwe of both leadership and energy in the engine room. Munetsi will only be available for the Rwanda clash four days later.
That leaves captain Marvelous Nakamba as the only experienced figure in midfield. However, the 31-year-old is far from match sharp. Nakamba has not played a full competitive match since April with English Premier League side Luton Town. His recent appearance was limited to a 45-minute run-out with Luton’s Under-21 side earlier this month. Coach Matt Bloomfield recently admitted Nakamba is still nursing a knee problem and remains “a little bit away from full fitness.”
Warriors Confront Midfield Crisis as Nees Names 24-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Despite these issues, Nees left out in-form midfielder Aboubakar Moffart, who has been one of the standouts in the Castle Lager Premiership this season. Moffart’s strength, composure and relentless work rate have drawn widespread praise, but Nees dismissed him as not being of the same quality as Nakamba, Munetsi and Andy Rinomhota.
Rinomhota, another key midfield option, is also absent as he finalises a move to a new club in England. This has left Nees with limited choices, forcing him to turn to the young trio of Fabisch, Fusire and Padera. All three are talented prospects but lack experience on the international stage, let alone in high-pressure qualifiers where Zimbabwe must win to stay alive.
As a result, fears are mounting that Zimbabwe could take to the field against Benin in Abidjan with an unbalanced midfield — an unfit Nakamba flanked by inexperienced youngsters. For many analysts, this is a risky gamble that could expose the Warriors in a group where margins are already thin.
In attack, however, there is some optimism. Much attention will be on Thando Ngwenya, the 22-year-old striker who emerged as a surprise package during the Cosafa Cup in June. Ngwenya earned a move to South African Premiership side AmaZulu, where he scored on his debut against Sekhukhune United. With Zimbabwe struggling for goals — managing just five in six qualifiers — his sharp form could provide a much-needed spark.
The task ahead remains daunting. Group C has proven unforgiving, with South Africa leading on 13 points. Rwanda and Benin follow closely on eight, Nigeria sit on seven, and Lesotho on six. Zimbabwe languish at the bottom with just four points, winless after six games. To remain in contention, the Warriors must beat Benin on September 5 and Rwanda on September 9.
Nees, however, remains defiant. “We are not yet out of the World Cup,” he told reporters. “If we win all four games, we would come to 16 points. That could be a playoff spot.” Yet, the statistics paint a sobering picture: four draws, two losses, and the unwanted record of being the only team in the group without a victory.
There is also faint hope that Zimbabwe’s position could be boosted if FIFA sanctions South Africa for fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena. But few believe that banking on disciplinary rulings is a sustainable strategy. For most fans, the equation is clear — Zimbabwe must secure victories on the pitch.
The Warriors’ squad carries promise. Arubi’s leadership at the back, Zemura and Hadebe’s defensive solidity, and Ngwenya’s potential in attack all offer reasons for cautious optimism. But the glaring weakness in midfield overshadows these positives. With Munetsi suspended, Nakamba unfit, Rinomhota unavailable and Moffart overlooked, Nees has pinned his hopes on youthful exuberance to make up for missing experience.
Whether this gamble pays off or backfires in Abidjan could define not just the Warriors’ World Cup campaign, but also Nees’ tenure at the helm. For now, Zimbabwean fans will wait anxiously, hopeful that the midfield void does not condemn the Warriors to another campaign of unfulfilled promise.
Source- Bulawayo24
