Chad has unveiled its 25-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with an overwhelming presence from local club AS PS, which contributes 14 players to the national team. 

Coach Tahir Zakaria Gardia has largely relied on domestic-based players, with only two foreign-based players making the list.

Chad, currently bottom of Group I with zero points, faces a tough challenge as they prepare to take on Ghana in Accra on March 21, followed by a match against Comoros in Morocco on March 26.

The squad’s heavy domestic composition highlights the coach’s commitment to developing homegrown talent, despite the nation’s struggles on the international stage.

Unlike most African teams that lean on their European-based stars, Chad’s squad is almost entirely composed of home-based players.

The only two players playing abroad are goalkeeper Mbaynaïssem Jourdain (CSK Dushanbe, Tajikistan) and midfielder Mahamat Thiam Maintah (CO Castuera, Spain).

Their experience will be vital as the team looks to earn its first points in the qualifiers.

Chad enters these matches as underdogs, especially against a star-studded Ghanaian side playing at home in Accra.

The Comoros fixture in Morocco also presents a tough challenge, given the island nation’s recent rise in African football.

Coach Tahir Zakaria Gardia will hope that the chemistry among the many AS PS players in the squad can help Chad mount a competitive challenge.

Despite slim qualification hopes, the matches offer a crucial platform for Chad’s local talents to gain international exposure.

Squad

Goalkeepers:

• Adaossou Mathieu (Renaissance – Chad)
• Abramanne Ekiang (AS PS – Chad)
• Mbaynaïssem Jourdain (CSK Dushanbe – Tajikistan)

Defenders:

• Ahmat Abderamane (Galons FC – Chad)
• Abdoulaye Mahamat (AS PS – Chad)
• Daba Gabkala (AS PS – Chad)
• Noubara Felix (AS PS – Chad)
• Noël Allaramadji (AS PS – Chad)
• Haroun Abakar (AS PS – Chad)
• Djimothoum Moral (TP Elect Sport – Chad)

Midfielders:

• Mahamat Thiam Maintah (CO Castuera – Spain)
• Allarabaye Yves (AS PS – Chad)
• Merba Benjamin (Foullah Edifice – Chad)
• Mahamat Djibrine (AS PS – Chad)
• Djodje A. Yves (AS PS – Chad)
• Djodje J. Lingar (AS PS – Chad)
• Youssouf Abderamane (Gazelle FC – Chad)
• Mahamat Adam (Gazelle FC – Chad)

Forwards:

• Masra Yannick (Galons FC Ndjamena – Chad)
• Mahamat Abakar (AS PS – Chad)
• Ali Mahamat Adam (AS PS – Chad)
• Mahamat Abakar (AS PS – Chad)
• Gouda B. Azaz (AS PS – Chad)
• Abakar Goukoui (TP Elect Sport – Chad)

-CAF

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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)

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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.

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H