Zimbabwe’s national football team has been dealt a significant blow ahead of their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, as both Tino Kadewere and Tawanda Chirewa have been ruled out of action due to injury. The Zimbabwe Football Association confirmed the absence of the two key players, leaving the Warriors with a challenging task as they prepare to face Namibia in back-to-back matches.
The Warriors are set to take on Namibia at the Orlando Stadium on 10 and 14 October, with both teams aiming to boost their chances of advancing in Group J.
Zimbabwe, however, will be without their top forward Kadewere, who has been struggling with a calf injury.
The injury kept him out of last month’s qualifiers, and despite hopes of a recovery, he has not progressed enough to feature in these critical encounters.
Chirewa, a promising young player, will also be missing from the lineup after suffering a thigh injury.
His absence is another setback for the Warriors, who were hoping to count on his attacking prowess to navigate these vital matches.
In addition to these confirmed absences, there are concerns about the fitness of FC Copenhagen defender Munashe Garananga.
Reports suggest that Garananga is a doubt for the first fixture against Namibia due to an ankle injury, raising further questions about Zimbabwe’s defensive solidity as they head into the double-header.
Despite these setbacks, Zimbabwe’s coaching staff will need to regroup and devise a strategy that compensates for the missing players.
The importance of the upcoming fixtures cannot be overstated, as the Warriors are in a tight race to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
Zimbabwe currently sits in third place in Group J, and with Namibia just behind them, the outcome of these matches will likely shape the trajectory of their qualifying campaign.
The pressure is on for Zimbabwe to secure positive results, but the task has undoubtedly become more difficult with the absence of Kadewere and Chirewa.
Kadewere, who plays for Olympique Lyonnais in France, is one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced and influential forwards.
His absence will be felt in the attack, where Zimbabwe will need to find alternative options to lead the line.
Chirewa, although younger and less experienced, has shown flashes of brilliance and would have provided an extra dimension to Zimbabwe’s midfield.
His absence also means that head coach Baltemar Brito will need to rely on other squad members to step up and deliver.
Namibia, who have also faced some struggles in their own qualifying campaign, will be eager to exploit the gaps in Zimbabwe’s lineup.
The Brave Warriors are expected to field a strong side, and with both teams eyeing crucial points, the stakes are high.
As the matches approach, Zimbabwe will need to dig deep, relying on squad depth and tactical discipline to overcome the absence of their star players.
These AFCON qualifiers will not only test the Warriors’ resilience but also their ability to adapt in the face of adversity.
