HARARE – France-based duo of Lyon forward Tino Kadewere and Stade Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi are out of Zimbabwe’s penultimate 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Botswana and Zambia this month.
This comes after French clubs from Ligue 1 and 2 on Wednesday agreed, unanimously, to stop their players from leaving the European Union bloc due to the strict quarantine protocols in France for people coming from red zone areas.
Players will also have to go into quarantine when they return to France from their assignments with their countries.
“In the absence of an exemption for foreign international players made available to their national team, and in view of the response times imposed by international regulations, the clubs of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 have decided to unanimously apply the FIFA circular of February 5, 2021 taking into account the many travel restrictions in the world,” a statement from the Ligue de Football Professionel, said.
“In this context, the clubs will not make available for selection the foreign players summoned for matches outside the EU / EEA zone during the next international period in March.”
Zimbabwe national team manager Wellington Mpandare had expressed hope of the likely availability of the duo.
Mpandare was working round the clock to persuade the two French clubs to release the players but Wednesday’s decision means that is no longer a possibility.
Warriors coach, Zdravko Logarusic will have to do without players from United Kingdom and France for the ties.
