Zimbabwe’s head coach Michael Nees has announced a 23-man squad for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Benin. Noteworthy mentions include defender Jordan Zemura and midfielder Marshall Munetsi, while captain Marvelous Nakamba is out due to injury. The Warriors are bottom of Group C but Nees remains hopeful about qualification.
Michael Nees, the head coach of Zimbabwe, has announced a 23-man squad for the Warriors’ upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Benin Republic. Notable inclusions in the squad are Udinese defender Jordan Zemura, Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi, and forward Walter Musona, who returns following his retirement in 2022. However, team captain Marvelous Nakamba has been excluded due to an injury.
The Warriors are scheduled to play against Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on March 20, followed by a match against Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on March 25. Currently, Zimbabwe is at the bottom of Group C, holding only two points from four matches. Nevertheless, Nees expresses optimism about their chances for qualification, stating, “It’s a very tight group; there are still six games to go and 18 points to play for.”
Nees remains confident, emphasizing, “The group is not decided yet for any team. The team in first place can easily drop. We have to rise up, compete until the final game, and ensure fair competition.” He acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match against Benin, who have performed well recently under former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.
Nees remarked, “Benin beat Nigeria, they played a draw against Nigeria, and they qualified for AFCON. They have an experienced coach, Gernot Rohr, whom I have known for 30 years. We are close friends, but friendship won’t play a role in these 90 minutes.” Zimbabwe aims for a commendable performance to boost their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s head coach Michael Nees has named a strong squad for their essential World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Benin. Despite sitting at the bottom of Group C, Nees is optimistic about their chances for qualification, emphasizing the competitive nature of the group. The matches present significant challenges, notably against Benin, led by an experienced coach. Aiming for strong performances, Zimbabwe strives to revive their hopes for the World Cup.
Original Source: businessday.ng
