Zimpapers Logo

Sports Reporters

ZIMBABWE international midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba, is now set to miss the Warriors’ home battle against the Black Stars, in their 2022 World Cup showdown, at the National Sports Stadium next week.

The two teams first clash, in Ghana, on Saturday before the Warriors get their chance, to take full advantage of home comforts, next Tuesday.

While Nakamba will feature in the first game, in West Africa, he could be forced to miss the reverse fixture, in Harare.

The midfielder had been hoping to get a second dose, of Covid-19 vaccination by Monday, to enable him to travel home, for the match, in line with the new regulations, unveiled by British authorities.

According to the review, made by the British Government, and the country’s health authorities, fully vaccinated players can now feature in countries, listed in the red zone, by the UK authorities, during this World Cup qualifying window.

The Birmingham Mail reported last week that under the new rules, “players must immediately go from their international bubble to their club bubble, and stay in segregated accommodation — their homes — for 10 days, with training or playing a match permitted on a daily basis. “Players returning from red-list zones cannot mix with the general public, but only those within their squad bubble.”

Villa manager, Dean Smith, then confirmed Nakamba was one of their players who were set to play in the red-listed countries. “Both our players, who will be affected by going into red zones are fully vaccinated as well, which is a real positive for us,” he said.

Warriors’ team manager, Wellington Mpandare, also said Nakamba and Jordan Zemura, were set to feature in the home battles, against the Black Stars.

“This is a welcome development because that’s exactly what we have been clamouring for,” said Mpandare.

“It’s unfortunate we are living in a difficult pandemic era but we have always insisted on a level playing field and protecting the dignity of these international matches. It was not only Zimbabwe, who were affected by the UK policy, and we are happy the UK Government has heeded the appeals from the football family.

“The unfortunate part is that the exemptions only apply to fully vaccinated players and only two of the UK-based players, we had called up for the match against Ghana, are fully vaccinated.

“We continue to encourage all our players, even those not called up now, to consider getting fully vaccinated.’’

However, it has turned out that Nakamba, just like his Warriors counterpart, Tendayi Darikwa, the captain of English League One side Wigan Athletic, have only received one Covid-19 jab.

While the duo have travelled to Ghana, who are listed among the amber nations, in terms of the Covid-19 regulations, proceeding home will mean they have to undergo strict quarantine requirements.

They will not be able to train with their teammates, for 10 days, or play any matches, during that time, as they isolate in one of the hotels earmarked for such an exercise, by the UK government.

If they had two jabs, they would have come home, and even feature for their clubs, immediately on their return, although they will not be allowed, to mix with the general population, for the 10 days.

Both Nakamba and Darikwa had been hoping to have a second jab, before they left for Ghana.

But, The Herald has been informed the duo were not successful, in their quest for a full vaccination.

This means their remaining hope would be that the British authorities review the status of the Southern African countries, including Zimbabwe, and move them into the amber zone, in their Covid-19 advice.

If such a decision is made this week, it will mean all the Zimbabwean players, who are based in the UK, will be able to come home, and feature in that second battle, against the Black Stars.

As it stands, only Zemura, among the UK-based players, will fly home for the match against Ghana.