Amid Suspension Threat, Zimbabwe Announce AFCON Squad

Zimbabwe have announced their 23-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, despite FIFA threatening to suspend the country’s current FA.

FIFA threatened on 21 December to suspend the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) after the government’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) appointed a nine-member “restructuring committee” which could be in place until December 2022.

If by 3 January the elected FA doesn’t takeover, FIFA will suspend them as they have firm policies against government interference.

The Africa Cup of Nations is set to run from 9 January to 6 February of 2022 in Cameroon. Zimbabwe were drawn in Group B alongside Senegal, Guinea, and Malawi.

The Warriors will be without many of its starts in Aston Villa’s Marvelous Nakamba, Tawanda Maswanhise of Leicester City, Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Martin Mapisa (FC Zamora, Spain), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars, South Africa).

Defenders: Peter Muduwa (Highlanders, Zimbabwe), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi, Georgia), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana, Zambia), Jordan Zemura (Bournemouth, England), Godknows Muriwa (Dynamos, Zimbabwe), Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy, South Africa), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo, USA), Bruce Kangwa (Azam, Tanzania), Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United, South Africa).

Midfielders: Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United, Zambia), Never Tigere (Azam, Tanzania), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United, South Africa), Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars, South Africa), Kundai Benyu (Vestri, Iceland).

Forwards: Admiral Muskwe (Luton Town, England), Prince Dube (Azam, Tanzania), David Moyo (Hamilton Academical, Scotland), Knowledge Musona (Al Tai, Saudi Arabia), Tinotenda Kadewere (Lyon, France).