Official: Zimbabwe field Brentford, Udinese and Paris FC players against the Super Eagles

2 months ago 29

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Zimbabwe’s Warriors have officially announced a 24‑man squad for their opening match of the 2026 Unity Cup against defending champions Nigeria, Afrik‑Foot reports.

The four‑nation invitational, which celebrates African and Caribbean football culture, will be staged at The Valley – the home ground of Charlton Athletic in London.

Nigeria meets Zimbabwe on Tuesday, 26 May, at 19:30 local time. The second semi‑final, featuring Jamaica and India, is set for the following day. The final and the third‑place play‑off will take place on Saturday, 30 May.

Interim coach Kaitano Tembo has built a squad heavily weighted toward players based abroad, drawing talent from clubs in England, Italy, Belgium, Scotland, Greece, South Africa and France.

The Warriors will be captained by seasoned midfielder Marvelous Nakamba of Sheffield Wednesday. He is joined by Udinese defender Jordan Zemura, Paris FC midfielder Marshall Munetsi, Brentford goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva and Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise.

Munetsi’s selection is noteworthy because the midfielder returns after a five‑month hiatus from the national side. Zemura also makes his first appearance since November 2025, ending a period of absence linked to a dispute over selections under the previous technical staff.

Among the younger prospects named are Sheffield Wednesday youngster Sean Fusire, Barnsley winger Tawanda Chirewa and KV Mechelen attacker Bill Antonio.

Only two domestically‑based players made the final list: goalkeeper Future Sibanda of ZPC Kariba and Highlanders midfielder Mongameli Tshuma, underscoring Tembo’s reliance on overseas talent for this tournament.

The attacking line‑up appears potent, featuring former Lyon striker Tino Kadewere, Young Africans forward Prince Dube, Orlando Pirates winger Daniel Msendami and TS Galaxy attacker Junior Zindoga.

Zimbabwe will use the Unity Cup as preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, following recent changes in the coaching staff after Mario Marinica’s departure.

Nigeria: Super Eagles preparing fresh‑look squad for Zimbabwe

While Zimbabwe has already disclosed its roster, Nigeria is expected to release its final list later this week after head coach Eric Chelle submitted his selections to the Nigeria Football Federation.

The Super Eagles intend to field an experimental side for the Unity Cup, comprising fringe internationals, Nigeria Premier Football League players and several newcomers eager to impress the new coaching team.

Regular starters such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze are likely to sit out, as Chelle uses the London tournament to evaluate squad depth ahead of upcoming competitive matches.

One of the names most strongly linked to the squad is Plymouth Argyle striker Owen Oseni, who netted ten goals in League One this season and is reportedly on the brink of his first senior national team call‑up.

Millwall attacker Femi Azeez is also being tipped for inclusion, while Pisa striker Rafiu Durosinmi could partner Porto forward Terem Moffi up front. Swedish‑based youngster Zadok Yohanna is another player believed to have caught Chelle’s attention.

A number of NPFL players are expected to travel to London, including Ikorodu City midfielder Joseph Arumala and Shooting Stars defender Abayomi Junior.

The Unity Cup offers Nigeria a chance to respond after recent frustrating encounters with Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, where both matches ended in draws that hampered the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes.

Nigeria claimed the revived Unity Cup in 2025 by beating Jamaica on penalties in the final. The tournament’s return to The Valley is historically significant, as the competition was first staged at the venue in 2004.

With Zimbabwe arriving in London with one of its strongest squads in recent years and Nigeria set to field several ambitious newcomers, the semi‑final promises to be a highlight of this year’s Unity Cup.

Zimbabwe’s squad for the Unity Cup

Goalkeepers

Marley Tavaziva (Brentford),
Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba),
Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi)

Defenders

Jordan Zemura (Udinese),
Munashe Garananga (Hibernian),
Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town),
Shane Maroodza (FK Sarajevo),
Gerald Takwara (Al‑Ittihad Misurata),
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns),
Emmanuel Jalai (Durban City),
Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday)

Midfielders

Marvelous Nakamba (Sheffield Wednesday),
Marshall Munetsi (Paris FC),
Mongameli Tshuma (Highlanders),
Aboubacar Moffat (Scottland FC),
Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirge Aue),
Tawanda Chirewa (Barnsley)

Attackers

Tino Kadewere (Aris Thessaloniki),
Tawanda Maswanhise