Onismor Bhasera Zimbabwe AFCON

Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza has named five players based in Mzansi his final 23-man squad for next month’s AFCON finals in Cameroon. Photo: Liberty Mugari/BackpagePix

FIVE SA-based players in Zimbabwe’s AFCON squad, but no ‘Gaucho’

Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza has named five players based in Mzansi his final 23-man squad for next month’s AFCON finals in Cameroon.

Onismor Bhasera Zimbabwe AFCON

Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza has named five players based in Mzansi his final 23-man squad for next month’s AFCON finals in Cameroon. Photo: Liberty Mugari/BackpagePix

Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza has named his final 23-man squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Cameroon.

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The squad is unfortunately missing a host of key players who helped the Warriors qualify for the tournament.

Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, Tawanda Maswanhise of Leicester City, Reims midfielder Marshal Munetsi and Wigan Athletic’s Tendayi Darikwa will all miss the 9 January to 6 February tournament through injury.

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In addition, Kaizer Chiefs star Khama Billiat announced last month that he had retired from international football.

Mapeza had been hoping to change his mind, but Billiat has not been included in the final selection.

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There are FIVE players who currently ply their trade in South Africa in the Zimbabwe squad.

They are goalkeeper Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars), defenders Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy) and Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United) and midfielders Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United) and Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars).

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Zimbabwe open their Group B campaign against Senegal on 10 January and will also face Malawi and Guinea in their pool.

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ZIMBABWE AFCON SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari (FC Platinum ????????), Martin Mapisa (FC Zamora ????????), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars ????????)

Defenders: Peter Muduwa (Highlanders ????????), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi ????????), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana ????????), Jordan Zemura (Bournemouth ????????????????????????????), Godknows Muriwa (Dynamos ????????), Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy ????????), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo ????????), Bruce Kangwa (Azam ????????), Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United ????????)

Midfielders: Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum ????????), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United ????????), Never Tigere (Azam ????????), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United ????????), Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars ????????), Kundai Benyu (Vestri ????????)

Forwards: Admiral Muskwe (Luton Town ????????????????????????????), Prince Dube (Azam ????????), David Moyo (Hamilton Academical ????????????????????????????), Knowledge Musona (Al Tai ????????), Tinotenda Kadewere (Lyon ????????)