Warriors coach Tapera wanted Musona, Mushekwi for World Cup qualifiers

In preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June in South Africa, recently appointed Zimbabwe national team coach Jairos Tapera has revealed he was to keen to acquire the services of two former Warriors stars in Nyasha Mushekwi and Knowledge Musona.

Tapera named a 23 member Warriors squad on Wednesday that will do national duty in two upcoming crucial games against visitors Lesotho on 7 June at the Orlando Stadium and versus South Africa on 11 June at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The ex-Young Warriors coach retained most of the regular faces that have been making it to the Warriors squad recently including Teenage Hadebe, Marshall Munetsi, Devine Lunga, Donovan Bernard, Walter Musona, Jordan Zemura and Tino Kadewere.

Tapera also gave maiden call ups to new faces in Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Godfrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds) and Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports, Tapera expressed his desire to have wanted to acquire the services of China and Saudi Arabia based forwards Mushekwi and Musona respectively.

He revealed: “We tried the best to make sure all departments are balanced. There are some players we wanted to be part of the squad, but we couldn’t get them.

“Mind you, these are very important games that we are facing, so you would need all your best players available. We reached out to Nyasha Mushekwi but the response was slow.

“We also talked to Knowledge Musona and he is unavailable as well. Besides, he is nursing an injury which made him miss the last three games at his club.”

England born forward Macauley Bonne who is set to leave English League Two outfit Gillingham FC when his contract expires in the summer excused himself.

“…Macauley Bonne asked to be excused. He indicated he was currently changing clubs, so he asked to be excused so that he could facilitate a smooth transfer,” added Tapera.

Tapera will be deputised by the Green Fuel head coach Saul Chaminuka and Ngezi Platinum Stars head coach Takesure Chiragwi as first and second assistants respectively.

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)