Zenzo Moyo Questions Warriors Squad Selection
Former Warriors and Highlanders striker Zenzo Moyo believes that the composition of the 23-member Warriors squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers does not reflect positively on the quality of the local premiership.
Interim Warriors coach Jairos Tapera named only seven locally-based players when he announced the squad for the two matches yesterday.
The locally based players in the squad are Chicken Inn, Manica Diamonds and Dynamos goalkeepers Donovan Bernard, Godfrey Chitsumba and Martin Mapisa respectively, as well as Highlanders defender, Andrew Mbeba, CAPS United defender Godknows Murwira and Simba Bhora duo of Walter Musona and Tymon Machope.
Speaking to Chronicle, Moyo, who once had successful playing stints in Cyprus and Botswana, said the fact that Tapera, who is also the Manica Diamonds coach, picked only one player from his club shows that he doesn’t have confidence in the local premiership. Said Moyo:
If you are a local coach, at times you should get a couple of players from your club to the national team. The fact that the coach (Jairos Tapera) only has one from his club (Manica Diamonds) shows that he has no confidence in the local league. I’m certain that Chitsumba will not play.
Only seven local-based players were called for the two games, which confirms a lack of confidence in the local-based players. I wonder when the coaches watched the bulk of foreign-based players they called up.
Moyo, however, said Zimbabwe was likely to beat both Lesotho and South Africa because the country has quality players.
Zimbabwe will “host” Lesotho at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on June 7 before taking on Bafana Bafana at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 11.
Bulawayo Chiefs head coach, Thulani Sibanda, said more young locally based players should be called up for national duty because players born in Europe lack patriotism. Said Sibanda:
I personally advocate that in the national team, we should have an age group. I seriously have a problem with not having that.
Yes, Godknows Murwira is a locally based player but with his age, what is he doing there? We need national team players to develop and go and play in other leagues.
A lot of young local-based players were needed there. A bulk of those Europe-based players lack patriotism and commitment.
They don’t usually play for the Warriors badge as they seem to treat the country as if it is a charity case. Having more players like Daniel Msendami and Andrew Mbeba would have shown their will to improve the national team because those boys are assets.
Local is lekker, the great Peter Ndlovu was groomed by Ali “Baba” Dube and he was coachable by any coach in Europe.
Those boys who were groomed in Europe will always come here to grade our local coaches. We seriously need to deal with that situation.
Below is the Warriors Squad
Goalkeepers
Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos FC), Godfrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds)
Defenders
Gerald Takwara (Ohod FC), Teenage Hadebe (Konyaspor) Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe Garananga (KV Mechelen), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield), Devine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielders
Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Rotherham United), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora) Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading), Joey Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday), Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester City)
Forwards
Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City) Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora).
More: Pindula News
