Warriors Bolstered by influx of foreign players for World Cup qualifiers

Philemon Jambaya

ASSISTANT EDITOR

The Zimbabwe national football team, affectionately known as the Warriors, received a significant boost ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa. A contingent of foreign-based players has joined the team’s training camp currently underway in South Africa.

Most of the Warriors’ overseas contingent has assembled, with the notable exception of defenders Brendan Galloway and Teenage Hadebe. Galloway is currently sidelined with an injury and undergoing rehabilitation in England, while Hadebe was granted temporary leave to finalise a contract with his new club.

However, Hadebe is expected to join his teammates on Tuesday.

The arrival of players such as Italy-based defender Jordan Zemura and left-back Devine Lunga, who recently competed in the Nedbank Cup Final, strengthens the Warriors’ squad considerably. This influx of talent will bolster the team’s preparations for the upcoming matches.

Head coach Jairos Tapera’s men have set up camp in Sandton, South Africa, and will utilise the high-performance facilities in Johannesburg for their training sessions. Their first challenge will be a “home away from home” fixture against Lesotho this Friday at Orlando Stadium. Following that, the Warriors will face the host nation, South Africa, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein next Tuesday.