Knowledge Musona Returns to Lead Warriors Against Botswana

Zimbabwe national team captain Knowledge Musona has returned to the national team ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Botswana.

The Warriors host Botswana in a Group H’s opener on November 15 at Barbourfields Stadium in Harare.

It is the inclusion of Musona that headlines as caretaker coach Joey Antipas’s 32-man squad provisional squad, as Aston Villa’s midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, also returns.

Musona was overlooked for the World Cup preliminary round qualifier against Somalia with his armband temporarily taken by Alec Mudimu.

Also on the squad is Stockport County defender Douglas Nyaupembe, Kidderminster Harriers’ Cliff Moyo and Charlton Athletic forward Macauley Bonne.

Bolton Wanderers’ Adam Chicksen has been retained, so are Germany-based Jonah Fabisch and Thabani Kamusoko, who plays his trade with Zambian Super League giants Zesco United.

Zimabwe are set to go into camp on November 11, when the FIFA date for November friendly or official matches begins.

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka) Martin Mapisa (Velez) Simbarashe Chinani (Dynamos)

Defenders: Douglas Nyaupembe (Stockport County) Ian Nekati (ZPC Kariba) Tivonge Rushesha (Swansea City) Cliff Moyo (Kidderminster) Divine Lunga (Golden Arrows) Adam Chicksen (Bolton Wanderers) Jordan Zemura (Bournemouth) Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic) Teenage Hadebe (Yeni Malatyaspor) Alec Mudimu (CEFN Druids) Partson Jaure (Manica Diamonds) Kelvin Moyo (Chippa United)

Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims) Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United) Butholezwe Ncube (AmaZulu) Marvelous Nakamba (Aston Villa) Ovidy Karuru (AmaZulu) Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United) Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs) Phenias Bamusi (Caps United) Jonah Fabisch (Hamburger SV, Germany)

Strikers: Admiral Muskwe (Leicester City) Terrence Dzvukamanja (Bidvest Wits) Prince Dube (Highlanders) Knowledge Musona (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium) Tinotenda Kadewere (Le Havre AC, France) Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa) Macauley Bonne (Charlton Athletic, England) Evans Rusike (SuperSport United, South Africa)