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Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub

WARRIORS coach Michael Nees was yesterday forced to make an injury-inspired change to his squad for the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifiers after dropping captain Marvelous Nakamba and replacing him with locally-based Richard Hachiro.

Hachiro, who gave a standout performance when former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars outplayed star-studded Scottland in a league match last Friday, was rewarded with a late call-up before the Warriors left for South Africa yesterday.
He was on standby, having last featured for the national team a few months ago as the Warriors sealed qualification for the 2025 Afcon under Nees.

Richard Hachiro

The diminutive midfielder joined goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, Dynamos captain Emmanuel Jalai, Isheanesu Mauchi of Simba Bhora and the six Scottland players led by Khama Billiat, Walter Musona and Godknows Murwira on the trip.

The contingent of 10 locally-based players was the first to arrive in Durban where Nees is hoping to conduct a three-day training camp ahead of Zimbabwe’s Group C home game against Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium this Thursday.
The local players will be joined by their foreign-based counterparts starting today as they prepare for the two games against Benin and then Nigeria at the Godwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday.

One of the senior players Billiat, who is no stranger to the tough continental battles, was excited to be taking the responsibility once again.

“It’s a great feeling to represent your country, and we are always ready to give our best for the nation,” he told Scottland media.
“This is our nation and we truly appreciate the call-up and we are looking forward to the games.
“To coach Nees, I just want to tell him that we are grateful to be part of the national team that is going to represent the country right now. We are always here to give our best and represent the nation in the best way.
“To the fans and everyone who is behind me and the team, I have nothing to promise but to give my best and make sure that I give everything on the day and make sure that I represent the nation positively.
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who has been behind the team, the nation and all the sports people out there. We truly appreciate it and that motivates us to do better every day,” said Billiat.

His Scottland teammate Musona is relishing the opportunity to don the national team colours alongside his brother Knowledge, who has just come out of international retirement.

Musona, a key member in Zimbabwe’s recent 2025 Afcon qualifying squad, has helped the Premiership newboys win two of their opening three assignments.

“Now I have to shift forward to the Warriors and I think I just have to work hard. It’s not going to be easy for me to play because the team is strong.

“My brother is back. Some think we play in the same position but we don’t. So, I just have to fight for my position and I’ll see what happens.

“We just have to go there and apply ourselves better than before because we have qualified for Afcon and now we are going to fight for the qualifications for the World Cup. So we just have to go on top as a team,” said Musona.
Dynamos fullback Jalai is also praying for his breakthrough after warming the bench each time he has been called. But he believes he has picked priceless lessons from the experience.

“Interacting with the European-based players is always a source of inspiration, as they compete at the highest level.
“I learn something new every time we meet during national team duty, and I’m always eager to continue working, resetting, and enjoying the high level of football,” he said.

Scottland midfielder Mthokozisi Msebe was also excited to get a national team call-up ahead of the two assignments.
“I am very happy because it’s not easy to be called up to the national team but through hard work it has happened. So I will try to push and play to my best so that our football wins,” said Msebe.

Khama Billiat

Warriors coach Nees has been tracking both the local and foreign-based players ahead of the resumption of the 2026 World Cup competition.

The Warriors had a slow take-off in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but they still harbour hopes for a comeback despite sitting bottom of the table with just two points from four games.

Zimbabwe had two defeats and as many draws under Baltemar Brito and Jairos Tapera. This will be Nees’ first time in charge of the World Cup campaign.

With Zimbabwe on two points, the trio of Rwanda, Benin and South Africa are tied on seven points while Lesotho have five and powerhouse Nigeria three.

Nees has convinced former captain Musona to reverse his retirement from international football and the forward is expected in Durban after featuring 45 minutes in Al-Okhdood’s 2-1 win over Al Ahli on Saturday in the Saudi Pro-League.
There was also positive news at the weekend as midfielder Andy Rinomhota made a welcome return from injury for Cardiff City when he featured in a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in an English Championship match on Saturday.

Rinomhota, who has occasionally been deployed at rightback, played 61 minutes in his usual right midfield position.
He had missed the team’s previous two games since picking up a hamstring injury against Burnley at the beginning of the month.

Another England-based Warrior Tawanda Chirewa made a second-half appearance for Huddersfield Town, coming on at the hour mark as they thrashed Crawley Town 5-1 in the English League One.

Chirewa is returning to the Zimbabwe fold after missing the previous four national team assignments due to a thigh injury.
However, his namesake Tawanda Maswanhise was not in the match day squad for Motherwell as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against visiting St Mirren in the Scottish Premier league.

Italy-based Jordan Zemura was back in the starting line-up for Udinese in the Italian Serie-A but his sided lost 0-1 to Verona.
Munashe Ganananga could be the last player expected to join the Warriors in Durban as his team FC Copenhagen was billed to feature in a Danish Superliga match against Viborg FF last night.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (MWOS)

Defenders: Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Divine Lunga (Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Peter Muduhwa (Scottland), Godknows Murwira (Scottland), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos)

Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Mthokozisi Msebe (Scottland), Khama Billiat (Scottland), Knowledge Musona (Al-Okhdood), Tawanda Chirewa (Huddersfield Town)

Forwards: Prince Dube (Young Africans), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Terrence Dzvukamanja (SuperSport United), Tymon Machope (Scottland), Walter Musona (Scottland)