Zimbabwe’s captain Marvelous Nakamba will miss the World Cup qualifiers due to injury. Coach Michael Nees has replaced him with Richard Hachiro. The team is preparing for important matches against Nigeria and Benin, aiming to improve their standing in the qualifiers.
Zimbabwe’s national football team faces a significant challenge as they prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and the Benin Republic, following the announcement that their captain, Marvelous Nakamba, has been ruled out due to injury. His absence is a considerable blow, given his crucial leadership and experience both on and off the field.
To address this setback, head coach Michael Nees has called up Richard Hachiro, who was initially on the standby list, to replace Nakamba. Hachiro has previously contributed to the national team, notably during the successful AFCON 2025 qualification campaign under Nees.
The national squad, which includes home-based players such as goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, Emmanuel Jalai, and Isheanesu Mauchi, departed for South Africa. They were joined by six players based in Scotland, including former Kaizer Chiefs star Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, and Godknows Murwira.
The initial group of 10 home-based players has arrived in Durban, where Nees aims to conduct a three-day training camp. Zimbabwe’s fixture against Benin is scheduled for Thursday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Following this, they will travel to Uyo to face Nigeria on March 25.
Currently, Zimbabwe sits at the bottom of Group C with just two points, while Nigeria closely trails ahead with three points. With the recent developments, Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, may leverage Zimbabwe’s loss to seize an opportunity for his team’s first victory in the qualifiers.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s preparations for the World Cup qualifiers have been significantly impacted by the injury to captain Marvelous Nakamba, necessitating the inclusion of Richard Hachiro. As the team adjusts to these changes, they aim to achieve better results against Nigeria and Benin. With both teams currently struggling in the qualifying group, the upcoming matches are crucial for their respective campaigns.
Original Source: www.brila.net
