Zimbabwe’s hopes of qualifying for their first-ever FIFA World Cup have received a massive boost with the return of Knowledge Musona, who has been recalled to the Warriors squad after a three-year absence.

The former national team captain, who last played for Zimbabwe in 2022 before announcing his retirement from international football, has accepted a call-up from the national team ahead of two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria.

Musona, now playing for Al-Okhdood in Saudi Arabia, is expected to provide vital experience and leadership to a squad looking to make history.

Musona’s return headlines a well-balanced squad, as the head coach aims to combine seasoned internationals with emerging talents.

In defence, the Warriors will rely on the Premier Soccer League and Serie A experience of Jordan Zemura (Udinese) and Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns) to provide stability at the back.

In midfield, Marshall Munetsi (Reims) and Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town) are expected to dictate the tempo, adding defensive solidity and creativity in attack.

Up front, Prince Dube (Young Africans) and Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell) will look to provide the firepower, while Tawanda Chirewa (Huddersfield Town) is an exciting young talent who could surprise.

The Warriors will first face Benin on March 20 in Durban, a match seen as a must-win to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Four days later, Zimbabwe will travel to Uyo, Nigeria, where they will face a star-studded Super Eagles side, making it one of their toughest challenges yet.

With the team currently struggling in the qualifiers, a positive result against Benin will be crucial to building confidence before facing one of Africa’s strongest teams.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)

Defenders: Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Peter Muduhwa (Scotland), Godknows Murwira (Scotland), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos)

Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Mihood), Tawanda Chirewa (Huddersfield Town), Knowledge Musona (Al-Okhdood)

Forwards: Prince Dube (Young Africans), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tymon Machope (Scotland), Walter Musona (Scotland)

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Caution should be a watchword for the Rwandan and Nigerian players when they file out for a World Cup qualifying duel on Friday 21 March.

The Moroccan referee for the match, Jayed Jalal, is very assertive. He controls matches with an iron hand, bringing sanity to the game.

The 37-year-old could be recalled issuing a whopping 13 yellow cards in two of his last international engagements.

In Namibia’s scoreless draw with Cameroon in last November’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, he flashed the yellow card five times.

Before that, he had handled the Angola 2-1 win over Sudan where eight yellow cards were issued.

The Super Eagles should be accustomed to the referee for his stern control.

Jalal was the referee of the Ghana versus Nigeria friendly match at the Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, almost exactly to the forthcoming duel with Rwanda.

The Moroccan issued four yellow cards, two to each side and a straight red card to a Ghanaian, Jerome Opoku in the 56th minute.

In another match involving the Nigeria U-20 side with Senegal last year, February, Jalal issued four yellow cards, one of which was a second caution to Nigeria’s Ahmed Abdulahi leading to the player’s expulsion in the 90th minute of the match.

Jalal will travel to Kigali with fellow Moroccans,  Mostapha Akarkad and Hamza Nassiri who will serve as first and second assistant referees respectively.

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Eric Chelle has selected 23 players for the Super Eagles’ final 23 players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.

In the squad are two home boys, Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole and Niger Tornadoes’ Papa Daniel Mustapha.

Both were also in the Nigerian squad that qualified for the African Nations Championship.

The others are the regulars except for the return of some previously exempted ones like Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain) who is being recalled after his last-minute drop out of the AFCON 2023 squad and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England).  

The first squad of Chelle include goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as well as defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina.

In the midfield are Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses.

Also in the final list are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forward, Samuel Chukwueze.

Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu makes the final cut, alongside Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare.  

Nigeria will confront group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21^st March before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.

LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE GAMES

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)

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