Zimbabwe have named only two players from the DStv Premiership for their World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa in June but will have 12 players from clubs in Europe in the 23-man selection.
Mamelodi Sundowns left-back Divine Lunga, who has been on the bench for his club’s last two games after returning from injury, and Polokwane City striker Douglas Mapfumo are the only players based at South African clubs.
The squad, which will be coached by former Black Leopards coach Jairos Tapera in a caretaker role, includes several with previous Premier Soccer League experience. This includes centre-back Teenage Hadebe, who was once at Kaizer Chiefs and now plays in Turkey; ex-Orlando Pirates utility player Marshall Munetsi and Gerald Takwara, previously on the books at Ajax Cape Town but now in Saudi Arabia.
Walter Musona, who was at Polokwane City, is also in the squad. There is a first call-up for Wolverhampton Wanderers right winger Tawanda Chirewa, who made his full Premier League debut in the 2-0 home loss to Arsenal in April. But missing is Marvelous Nakamba from relegated Luton Town, who has not played since December because of a knee injury.
From the lower leagues in England come another six players, including former England under-21 international defender Brendan Galloway and 20-year-old left-back Shane Maroodza from Huddersfield Town, who is yet to make a first-team debut.
Zimbabwe, whose grounds have been declared unfit for international competition, host Lesotho at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 7 June before an away game against South Africa in Bloemfontein four days later.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Godfrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds), Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)
Defenders: Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle, England), Munashe Garananga (KV Mechelen, Belgium), Teenage Hadebe (Konyaspor, Turkey), Devine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield Town, England), Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Gerald Takwara (Ohod, Saudi Arabia)
Midfielders: Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester City, England), Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana), Marshall Munetsi (Stade Reims, France), Joey Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Andy Rinomhota (Rotherham United, England), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading, England), Jordan Zemura (Udinese, Italy)
Strikers: Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Tinotenda Kadewere (Nantes, France), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City, South Africa), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora).
