Zimbabwe skipper Nakamba back for Afcon qualifiers

Zimbabwe will have captain Marvelous Nakamba back in the squad for their back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers matches against Namibia in Soweto this month amid other changes to the squad named by coach Michael Nees.

Nakamba, 30, has returned to club action at English Championship club Luton Town in rceent weeks fatre knee surgety kept himourt for some six monthsd. He last played for Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers in November last year.

SuperrSport United forward Terrence Dzvukamanja has also been called up for the first time by the new coach, whose debut last month at the start of the 2025 Cup of Nations qualifiers saw draws with Kenya and Cameroon.

France-based striker Tino Kadewere returns to the 24-man squad after a hamstring injury ewhile Khama Billait, who made his return from imnternatiomal retiurement last month, continues his comeback..

Daniel Musendami from Marumo Gallants is also in the squad but Polokwane City striker Douglas Mapfumo has been dropped.

Mamelodi Sundowns fullback Divine Lunga has also been recalled,

Zimbabwe play Namibia next Wednesday at the Orlando Stadium and then return to the same venue five days later. Both countries cannot play games in their home country for a lack of a suitable venue.

The players are expected to report for camp in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants, South Africa), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford, England),

Defenders: Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle, England), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati USA), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa, Iraq), Jordan Zemura (Udinese, Italy)

Midfielders: Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Tawanda Chirewa (Derby County, England), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum), Marshall Munetsi (Stade Reims, France), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town, England), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City, Wales)

Forwards: Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Prince Dube (Young Africans, Tanzania), Terrence Dzvukamanja (SuperSport United, South Africa), Tinotenda Kadewere (Nantes, France), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell, Scotland), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants, South Africa), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora)