Bosso coach Pieter de Jongh pushes for Andrew Mbeba’s call-up to Zimbabwe Warriors

BULAWAYO – Highlanders coach Pieter de Jongh has taken to social media to advocate for the inclusion of his vice-captain and right-back Andrew Mbeba in the Zimbabwe senior national team.

The outspoken Dutchman insists that Mbeba “deserves” a place in the Warriors squad, highlighting his consistency and versatility.

“In my team, Andrew Mbeba has been outstanding. Strong, consistent, and versatile — central defender, right-back, or defensive midfielder,” de Jongh posted on his official Facebook page earlier this week.

Despite his impressive displays, Mbeba was overlooked under recently dismissed Warriors coach Michael Nees, who did not call him up regularly even though Mbeba has been a consistent performer for Highlanders.

This is in contrast to previous interim national team coaches Baltemar Brito and Jairos Tapera, under whom Mbeba was a regular starter.

Notably, Mbeba made a crucial goal-line clearance in Zimbabwe’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Nigeria in Rwanda in November 2023.

The former Zimbabwe Under-20 captain also led a largely locally-based Warriors squad at this year’s COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, where he captained the side.