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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE coach Michael Nees will have loads of new positive dimensions across the field with the return of key players including captain Marvelous Nakamba for the back-to-back 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Namibia next week.

Zimbabwe face-off against the Brave Warriors on October 10 and 14 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa with the two teams taking turns to host each other in the neighbouring country because of the absence of approved stadiums in their respective countries that can stage international A class games.

The Warriors have already picked two points in their opening Group J qualifiers after goalless draws against Kenya and Cameroon last month while Namibia have lost both their assignments.

With Cameroon and Kenya who jointly lead the pool on four points each, sizing each other up in the back-to-back clashes of their own, the two rounds against Namibia could be decisive in Zimbabwe’s pursuit for a place in the finals to be played in Morocco next year.

And the team has been boosted by the return of skipper Nakamba along with four other key components of the team who, just like the Luton Town man, missed the first two games through injuries.

Nakamba, a key part of the Warriors’ midfield workshop, has been absent from the group for nearly a year after he sustained a sprain last November.

The 29-year-old was floored in Warriors colours when Zimbabwe played their second 2026 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria at Huye Stadium, Butare in Rwanda.

He even missed the remainder of the English Premier League and failed to contribute anything as Luton Town went straight back to the Championship after only a single season with the big boys.

But he is now back on his feet, getting significant minutes for Luton, and must also be ready for the grind in national colours.

And he has been included in Nees’ squad for the crucial fixtures against Namibia.

The former Aston Villa star is expected to engineer raids from the midfield where Marshal Munetsi has always found the going tough when deployed without Nakamba.

Nees paired Munetsi and Andy Rinomhota for the games against Kenya and Cameroon but with the latter doing an exceptional job defensively and offensively, Munetsi was generally amiss.

And Nakamba’s availability is expected to make things work in the engine room.

Besides the Bantu Rovers product’s return, four other key members who all have played big roles for the team make a rebound.

Striker Tinotenda Kadewere who was excused for the Kenya and Cameroon ties has been included despite concerns over his injury still lingering.

The Nantes forward could fit into Nees’ system that thrives on passing.

Polokwane City’s Douglas Mapfumo who has played in the last three Warriors games is understood to have been invited but his South African team has reportedly decided to have him excused as he is still to fully recuperate from the knock that he suffered in Zimbabwe’s match against Cameroon.

Striker Terrence Dzvukamanja has also been rewarded with a call back into the fold for his top form at South African side SuperSport United where he has scored once in three games.

On the other hand, Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway is back after recovering from an injury that forced him to withdraw from the squad that faced Kenya and Cameroon last month.

His place had been taken by Farai Banda who has now been dropped.

Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard has also been replaced by Dynamos’ Martin Mapisa who joins veteran Washington Arubi and Marley Tavaziva on the goalkeepers’ list.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Divine Lunga has also bounced back and that could also aid Nees’ options to play Udinese star Jordan Zemura higher up while the former takes the left-back position.

Warriors Squad for 2025 Afcon Qualifiers Match-Day 3 & 4:

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants)

Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)

Defenders: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese)

Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Tawanda Chirewa (Derby County),  Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum)

Strikers: Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora)