Zimbabwe Warriors captain Marvelous Nakamba is set to make a return to the Warriors’ squad which will play back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier matches against Namibia this month.
Nakamba last featured for Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers in November last year before suffering a long-term injury which kept him out for several months.
The 30-year-old went on to miss Luton Town’s fight for survival in the premier league last season and the club was eventually demoted to the Championship.
The former Aston Villa star has only featured twice for Luton Town in the Championship so far this season.
France-based striker Tino Kadewere has also been named in the 24-member squad after pulling out of last month’s Afcon qualifiers again Kenya and Cameroon reportedly due to a hamstring injury.
Kadewere is a major boost for coach Michael Nees team, which struggled for goals in the previous matches, while Terrence Dzvukamanja, who plays for Supersport United in South Africa, has also been called up.
Other players such as Tanzania-based Prince Dube, Tawanda Maswanhise who plays for Motherwell in Scotland, Daniel Musendami (Marumo Gallants, SA), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora) and Khama Billiat (Yadah FC) completed the forwards called up in the squad.
Douglas Mapfumo, who was one of the strikers in the previous assignments, has been dropped from the team.
Mamelodi Sundowns fullback Divine Lunga has also been recalled into the squad for the upcoming assignments.
Most of the key players such as Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Teenage Hadebe, Tawanda Chirewa, Munashe Garananga and Gerald Takwara are part of the team.
The Warriors play Namibia next Wednesday before engaging the same opponent five days later as they bid to qualify for the 2025 Afcon qualifiers in Morocco.
Both matches will be played at Orlando Stadium in South Africa.
Zimbabwe currently sits in third place in Group J, which also includes Kenya and Cameroon and will be looking forward to win both matches against Namibia to move into a commanding position for qualification.
The players are expected to report for camp in Johannesburg starting this Sunday.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)
Defenders: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese)
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Tawanda Chirewa (Derby County), Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum)
Forwards: Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora)
