Ramon Catala names first Warriors squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

New Warriors head coach Ramon Catala has announced his first Zimbabwe squad since taking charge of the national team, with Liverpool youngster Isaac Mabaya among the players selected for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The squad features a blend of experienced internationals, locally based players and a number of Zimbabwean youngsters playing abroad, as Catala begins his tenure with two important Group E fixtures on the horizon.

Mabaya’s inclusion is one of the notable features of the squad. The 21-year-old, who can play at right-back and in midfield, has come through the Liverpool academy and has previously represented England at youth level.

The Liverpool youngster has been on Zimbabwe’s radar for some time. He was previously included in the provisional Warriors squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria in November 2023, although he did not make the final squad on that occasion.

Catala has now handed Mabaya his opportunity as he looks to build a squad capable of competing in the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign. His selection adds another promising young option to a Warriors defence that also includes Jordan Zemura, Divine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maroodza, Sean Fusire and Brendan Galloway.

The midfield department contains considerable experience, with Wolves midfielder Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Marvellous Nakamba and Knowledge Musona among the headline names. Tawanda Chirewa, Prosper Padera, Abubakar Moffat and Mongameli Tshuma complete a midfield group offering Catala a mixture of experience and youth.

Up front, the Warriors have several attacking options to choose from. Tawanda Maswanhise, Prince Dube, Tino Kadewere, Thando Ngwenya, Bill Antonio, Daniel Msendami, Ishmael Wadi and South Africa-based Junior Zindoga have all been selected.

Zindoga’s call-up is another notable addition to Catala’s first squad. The TS Galaxy forward will have the opportunity to make his case as the new coach assesses his attacking options ahead of Zimbabwe’s opening qualifiers.

The goalkeeping department consists of Elvis Chipezeze, Nelson Chadya, Martin Mapisa and Marley Tavaziva. Scottland goalkeeper Chadya comes into the squad after an impressive domestic campaign, while Chipezeze provides international experience between the posts.

Zimbabwe are in Group E alongside Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia. The Warriors will begin their campaign away to Sierra Leone on 24 September before returning home to face the DRC four days later on 28 September.

The venues for both matches have not yet been officially confirmed, adding another element of uncertainty to the Warriors’ preparations. Nevertheless, Catala now has his first squad in place as he prepares for his first competitive assignment since taking over the national team.

The new coach will be hoping the combination of experienced players and emerging talent can give Zimbabwe a strong start to the qualification campaign. With AFCON qualification at stake, the opening two matches could provide an early indication of the direction Catala intends to take the Warriors.

For Mabaya, meanwhile, the call-up represents another step in his international journey. After previously being considered by Zimbabwe without making the final squad, the Liverpool academy product now has another opportunity to establish himself within the senior Warriors setup.

Catala’s first squad therefore represents more than just a list of players for two qualifiers. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Warriors, with the Spanish coach now tasked with guiding Zimbabwe through a demanding AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.