Zimbabwe defender Brendan Galloway has been ruled out of the national team’s opening two matches in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers due to a hamstring injury. The 28-year-old, who plays his club football for Plymouth Argyle, was initially named in head coach Michael Nees’ squad for the crucial fixtures against Kenya and Cameroon but has now been forced to withdraw after sustaining the injury.
Galloway had started in the first three games of the Championship season for Plymouth, but his absence in their 1-0 loss to Stoke City on Saturday signaled the severity of the issue.
Following the injury, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) confirmed that Galloway would not be traveling to Uganda, where the Warriors are set to begin their Group J qualifying campaign.
Head coach Nees will now be without one of his key defensive options as Zimbabwe prepares to face Kenya’s Harambee Stars on September 6, followed by a clash against the formidable Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on September 10.
Both matches will be held at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, as Zimbabwe looks to secure early points in what is expected to be a highly competitive group.
Galloway’s absence is a blow for the Warriors, who will miss his experience and composure at the back as they attempt to navigate these crucial early-stage fixtures.
The versatile defender, who once represented England at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Zimbabwe, has become a valuable member of Nees’ squad since his decision to play for the African nation.
In his absence, the Zimbabwean defence will need to step up to fill the void, especially against a Cameroonian side known for its attacking prowess.
Zimbabwe is looking to make a strong push for qualification in the 2025 AFCON tournament, but losing Galloway at this stage adds an extra challenge to their quest.
As the team prepares for these high-stakes encounters, Galloway’s injury leaves Nees with a difficult decision on how to reshape his backline.
The Warriors will need to show resilience in Kampala without one of their defensive stalwarts as they seek to get their qualifying campaign off to a positive start despite the setback.
