Zimbabwe have begun a rebuilt of their squad in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers as they prepare to meet hosts South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, desperate for a win to get their campaign back on track.
Devine Lunga in action… he came through this evening’s training session unscathed. #bayawabaya🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/z3JCYupH2J
— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) June 10, 2024
Gone are the likes of Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona to be replaced by a younger generation, many of who have come through youth systems in England.
Supersport.com looks at five dangermen in the Warriors’ camp.
JORDAN ZEMURA (UDINESE, ITALY)
The rampaging left-back played 27 times for Udinese in Serie A this past season having joined at the start of the campaign following three years at Bournemouth. The 24-year-old already is an attacking wing-back option and scored a single goal as he made 10 starts and came off the bench on 17 occasions. Born in London, he qualified for Zimbabwe as both his parents hail from the Southern African nation. He made his debut for the country in November 2020. He could play as a left-wing on Tuesday.
TINO KADEWERE (NANTES, FRANCE)
One of the few Zimbabwe forwards of recent times who has not come through South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, the 28-year-old instead left for Sweden as a teenager and later joined Le Havre and current Ligue 1 side Lyon in France. He netted 10 goals for Lyon in his first season there in 2020/21 but has since managed only three goals in three seasons, which included a loan at Mallorca in Spain, and a move to Nantes for 2023-24. Still, he will be a huge danger to Bafana with his experience.
TAWANDA CHIREWA (WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS, ENGLAND)
Another player born in England to Zimbabwean parents, he emerged as a young talent at Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers this season. There is much excitement about his future and while he may be a little raw, his performances suggest he can be a huge threat to South Africa playing behind Kadeware. The 20-year-old made 10 appearances for Wolves in the last season.
DIVINE LUNGA (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS, SOUTH AFRICA)
Lunga will know everything there is to know about this South African side, and is teammates with no fewer than nine of the Bafana Bafana squad at Mamelodi Sundowns. That knowledge, built up over six seasons in the DStv Premiership, could be invaluable. He is also a strong attacking option on the left-side of defence, though you feel most of his evening will be spent in the defensive third.
MARSHALL MUNETSI (REIMS, FRANCE)
Another player with experience in South Africa, he played for Ubuntu Cape Town, Baroka FC and Orlando Pirates before making the switch to France in 2019. He has the ability to control the centre of the park and if he can get on top in that area, will be a huge threat to Bafana. Hard-working and industrious, the 27-year-old has been a key player for Reims in Ligue 1 since his arrival in 2019.