Zimbabwe Warriors head coach Michael Nees has unveiled two separate squads for the country’s June international football commitments, signaling a dual approach focused on both immediate competitiveness and long-term development. The senior team is set to face Burkina Faso and Niger in friendlies to be played in Morocco, while a youthful side will represent the nation in the 2025 COSAFA Cup in South Africa.
This strategic division of teams reflects both the growing depth of Zimbabwean football talent and the technical bench’s awareness of managing player workloads, especially as several top performers are nursing post-season injuries. Speaking at the squad announcement, Coach Nees explained the rationale behind the selection, noting that key players such as Marvelous Nakamba, Marshall Munetsi, and Jordan Zemura have been rested to recover from knocks, while others like Tawanda Chirewa and Andy Rinomhota are currently unavailable due to injury. Despite these absences, the Morocco-bound squad boasts significant experience, with in-form South Africa-based goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze making a return to the national team setup. Midfielder Jonah Fabisch, who last featured for the Warriors four years ago, is also back, along with French Ligue 1 striker Tino Kadewere of Nantes.
While the senior squad prepares for high-profile engagements against Burkina Faso on June 6 and Niger four days later, attention is also turning to the 2025 COSAFA Cup, which kicks off earlier on June 4 in South Africa. The COSAFA campaign will be spearheaded by Under-20 national team coach Simon Marange, with support from Joel Luphahla and Chenjerai Dube. Coach Nees confirmed that this delegation was a deliberate move aimed at nurturing talent ahead of the 2028 Olympic qualifiers, with the majority of the COSAFA squad eligible for the under-23 tournament. The decision to field a younger team underscores the technical team’s commitment to sustainable growth, giving future stars their first real taste of international competition while blending in a few experienced hands to provide leadership.
Andrew Mbeba, who brings both experience and composure to the backline, will captain the COSAFA squad, with vice-captaincy duties handed to Martin Mapisa. The team includes promising names such as Crystal Palace defender Kuraishe Musanhu, who will form part of a youthful but promising backline alongside Tashinga Mashonganyika, Allen Chapinduka, and Arter Kaseke. The midfield is equally dynamic, anchored by the likes of Prosper Padera from Finland and Menzi Mazwi of Birmingham City. Local talents Junior Makunike (Simba Bhora) and Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders) are expected to lend both creativity and maturity in the middle of the park.
In attack, the onus will be on Thando Ngwenya of FC Platinum, alongside Mafios Chiweta and England-based forward Tanaka Chirera from Bury, to provide cutting-edge finishing and consistent offensive pressure. The COSAFA squad not only represents Zimbabwe’s next generation of football talent but also offers these players an opportunity to stake a claim for future senior team call-ups in a competitive environment.
Both squads are expected to begin camp on Monday next week, in what promises to be a packed and significant month for Zimbabwean football. With the Warriors now embracing a holistic development plan under Nees, balancing results with youth development, the upcoming matches provide not only a test of tactical depth but also a glimpse into the future of Zimbabwe’s football identity.
