Scottland FC midfielder Nathan Mutasa, has been named in Zimbabwe’s squad for the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup tournament set for June 4-15 in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Mutasa’s selection comes as a surprise to many, given his limited game time at Scottland under coach Tonderayi Ndiraya. However, his dynamic midfield skills and occasional brilliance have earned him this opportunity to prove his worth on the regional stage.
Before joining Scottland FC, Castle Lager Premiership newcomers, Mutasa had a stint in Spain with Grenada. Though his minutes have been limited since his arrival in Zimbabwe’s top flight, he started and played over an hour in Scottland’s recent clash against MWOS, showcasing his potential to impact matches.
The Warriors’ main squad is currently in Morocco preparing for friendly matches against Burkina Faso and Niger, while the COSAFA squad, seen as a developmental or select team, lacks some of the country’s established stars. Head coach Simon Marange, who also serves as a youth coach at South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, will lead the team, assisted by Simba Bhora’s Joel Luphahla.
Mutasa’s inclusion in the COSAFA squad presents a chance for him to impress and silence any critics. On his day, he’s known for causing havoc in midfield, and his versatility could be crucial for Zimbabwe in this competition.
Group A Fixtures (Toyota Stadium unless stated otherwise):
June 4, 15h00: South Africa vs Mozambique
June 4, 18h00: Mauritius vs Zimbabwe
June 7, 12h00: Mozambique vs Mauritius
June 7, 15h00: South Africa vs Zimbabwe
June 10, 15h00: Mozambique vs Zimbabwe
June 10, 15h00: South Africa vs Mauritius (Dr Petrus Molemela)
The COSAFA Cup offers a platform for emerging talents like Mutasa to shine on the regional stage. All eyes will be on him to see if he can step up and make a lasting impression in the Warriors’ colors.
