Warriors coach Michael Nees has ommited three key players from his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C matches against Benin and Rwanda.
Nees announced the squad on Thursday, with Khama Billiat, Andy Rinomhota and goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva all missing out.
Billiat and Tavaziva are sidelined through injury, while Rinomhota asked to be excused as he is close to signing for a new club.
In Tavaziva’s absence, Nees recalled Magesi FC goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, who returned to the national fold during June’s international friendlies.
Also included in the squad are Bill Antonio of KV Mechelen (Belgium), Germany-based Jonah Fabisch, Finland-based midfielder Prosper Padera, and Sheffield Wednesday’s Sean Fusire, who all impressed in June.
Captain Marvelous Nakamba is back in the squad after missing the previous games due to injury.
The Warriors will face Benin away on 5 September at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at 5:00 PM CAT. The fixture will be played on neutral soil due to Benin’s lack of CAF-approved stadiums.
Zimbabwe will then host Rwanda on neutral venue at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, at 3:00 PM CAT.
Zimbabwe Warriors Squad – 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (vs Benin, Rwanda)
Goalkeepers:
1. Washington Arubi – Marumo Gallants
2. Elvis Chipezeze – Magesi
3. Martin Mapisa – MWOS
Defenders:
4. Gerald Takwara – Al Minaa
5. Munashe Garananga – FC Copenhagen
6. Teenage Hadebe – FC Cincinnati
7. Brandon Galloway – Plymouth Argyle
8. Godknows Murwira – Scotland FC
9. Emanuel Jalai – Dynamos FC
10. Jordan Zemura – Udinese Calcio
11. Divine Lunga – Mamelodi Sundowns
Midfielders:
12. Marshall Munetsi – Wolves
13. Marvelous Nakamba – Luton Town
14. Jonah Fabisch – FC Erzgebirge Aue
15. Sean Fusire – Sheffield Wednesday
16. Prosper Padera – SJK (Finland)
17. Tawanda Chirewa – Wolves
18. Knowledge Musona – Scotland FC
Forwards:
19. Terrence Dzvukamanja – Scotland FC
20. Bill Antonio – KV Mechelen
21. Tawanda Maswanhise – Motherwell
22. Walter Musona – Scotland FC
23. Tino Kadewere – Aris Thessaloniki
24. Thando Ngwenya – Amazulu
