Zimbabwe Warriors coach Norman Mapeza has selected his final squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mapeza has kept faith in most of the players who won him qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations finals but few stars are missing including Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, Tawanda Maswanhise of Leicester City and Reims midfielder Marshal Munetsi, due to injuries.
The Warriors squad has only 23 players despite Confederation of African Football allowing nations to submit up to 28 names to help deal with any Covid-19 problems.
Those who failed to impress the coach during training sessions are veteran forward Knox Mutizwa, Dynamos trio of Frank Makarati, Amon Mvula and teenage sensation Bill Antonio.
Chicken Inn defender Shepherd Mhlanga, Panashe Mutimbanyoka of FC Platinum, Tapiwa Sibanda (Cranborne) and midfielder Temptation Chiwunga of JDR Stars in South Africa have also been dropped.
Zimbabwe is in Group B and will begin their campaign against Senegal on January 10, before clashing against Malawi and Guinea in the following days.
Zimbabwe are appearing in the Nations Cup for the fifth time after rubbing shoulders with the best Africa has to offer in 2004, 2006, 2017 and 2019.
Zimbabwe 2021 Afcon squad:
Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Martin Mapisa (FC Zamora, Spain), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars, South Africa).
Defenders: Peter Muduwa (Highlanders, Zimbabwe), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi, Georgia), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana, Zambia), Jordan Zemura (Bournemouth, England), Godknows Muriwa (Dynamos, Zimbabwe), Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy, South Africa), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo, USA), Bruce Kangwa (Azam, Tanzania), Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United, South Africa).
Midfielders: Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United, Zambia), Never Tigere (Azam, Tanzania), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United, South Africa), Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars, South Africa), Kundai Benyu (Vestri, Iceland).
Forwards: Admiral Muskwe (Luton Town, England), Prince Dube (Azam, Tanzania), David Moyo (Hamilton Academical, Scotland), Knowledge Musona (Al Tai, Saudi Arabia), Tinotenda Kadewere (Lyon, France).
