HARARE – In anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Zimbabwe‘s senior men’s football team coach, Baltemar Brito, has announced a strong provisional 27-man squad.
This squad includes players born abroad and is set to compete against Rwanda and Nigeria in a couple of weeks.
Both of these matches will be played in Rwanda since Zimbabwe lacks stadiums that meet FIFA’s international standards for hosting matches.
The Zimbabwean team is scheduled to face the hosts, Rwanda, on November 15th at Huye Stadium.
Four days later, they will make history as they play host to Nigeria at the same venue, marking the first time Zimbabwe will host an international football match away from home.
This provisional squad boasts several prominent names, including Marvellous Nakamba, who plays for the English Premier League side Luton, Marshall Munetsi from French club Stade de Reims, and the prolific striker Tino Kadewere.
Additionally, the team features players born abroad who are seeking their first caps in Warriors colors.
Some of these players include Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Leon Chiwome (Wolves), Tawanda Masvanhise (Leicester), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading), and Marley Tavaziva (Brentford).
The Zimbabwean coach, Brito, faces the challenge of blending this new team quickly to produce results.
As the national team is returning to international football after a prolonged absence, the coach must work his magic to foster teamwork and coordination among the players.
The upcoming World Cup qualifiers hold significant importance for Zimbabwe, and the nation eagerly awaits the performance of this new squad as they embark on their international journey.
Zimbabwe 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Squad
Goalkeepers
Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn) Washington Arubi (Supersport United), Martin Mapisa (FC Malaga), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)
Defenders
Peter Muduhwa (Highlanders), Tendayi Darikwa (Apolon Limmasol), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders) Frank Makarati (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), Munashe Garan’anga (Sheriff Traspol), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Brendon Galloway (Plymouth), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading), Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Marvellous Nakamba (Luton), Gerald Takwara (Ohod), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff), Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool)
Strikers
Tino Kadewere (Lyon) Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Admiral Muskwe (Exeter City), Prince Dube (Azam) Terrence Dzukamanja (Supersport), Obriel Chirinda (Bulawayo Chiefs), Leon Chiwome (Wolves), Tawanda Masvanhise (Leicester)
