Zimbabwe have named their squad for the opening matches of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Warriors will begin their campaign against Sierra Leone in Morocco on 24 September before returning home to face DR Congo in Harare four days later.
The two matches will also mark the first competitive assignments for new head coach Ramon Catala, who took charge of Zimbabwe on 20 August 2026.
The Spanish coach has included experienced players Marshall Munetsi and Tino Kadewere in his first squad, with both players returning to the national-team setup after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Munetsi provides experience in midfield, while Kadewere returns as an option in attack as Zimbabwe prepare for two important fixtures at the beginning of their qualifying campaign.
Liverpool Under-21 defender Isaac Mabaya is also included in the final squad. He is the only newcomer from the preliminary list to make the final selection.
However, Zimbabwe will be without Jordan Zemura for both matches after the Watford left-back suffered a muscle injury.
Zemura had been part of the preliminary squad but was ruled out after pulling a muscle over the weekend.
His absence leaves Catala without one of the players initially considered for the opening qualifying fixtures as the new coach prepares for his first matches in charge.
Zimbabwe’s first assignment will come away from home against Sierra Leone, although the match will be played in Morocco on 24 September.
The Warriors will then travel back to Zimbabwe for their second fixture, hosting DR Congo in Harare on 28 September.
The two games will provide Catala with his first opportunity to put his plans into action in a competitive setting since taking over the Warriors.
His appointment on 20 August means he has had a short period to prepare for the start of the AFCON qualifying campaign.
The inclusion of Munetsi and Kadewere is one of the notable features of the squad as Zimbabwe seek to begin the qualifiers strongly.
Both players were absent from Zimbabwe’s squad at the 2025 AFCON, but their return gives Catala additional experience ahead of the two fixtures.
Mabaya’s inclusion also provides a new option after he was initially named in the preliminary squad. The Liverpool Under-21 player is the only newcomer from that group to be retained in the final selection.
Zemura’s injury, meanwhile, represents the main setback to the squad before the qualifiers begin.
The Watford defender pulled a muscle during the weekend and will now miss both matches against Sierra Leone and DR Congo.
Zimbabwe’s campaign therefore begins with a mixture of returning experience and a new coaching approach.
Catala inherited the Warriors on 20 August and will now oversee his first official matches with the national side less than five weeks after his appointment.
The opening fixture against Sierra Leone will be followed quickly by the home meeting with DR Congo, giving Zimbabwe little time between the two matches.
