Super Eagles' opponents Zimbabwe to assess Luton Town star before squad announcement

Zimbabwe’s national football team, the Warriors, are in the final stages of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with a particular focus on assessing the fitness of key players before naming the squad for their upcoming fixtures against Nigeria and Benin. 

Head coach Michael Nees is carefully monitoring the condition of his players, especially those playing abroad, ahead of the critical African Zone Group C qualifiers.

A major concern for the Warriors is the fitness of team captain Marvelous Nakamba. 

Reports have suggested that the Luton Town midfielder could be sidelined for up to six weeks due to injury, which would rule him out of Zimbabwe’s upcoming matches. 

However, according to Bulawayo 24 News, Nees has stated that the final decision regarding Nakamba’s availability will be made after consultations with the Warriors' medical team, who will carry out a thorough assessment in the coming days. 

The absence of the influential captain would undoubtedly be a blow for Zimbabwe as they face their toughest challenge yet in the qualifiers.

In addition to Nakamba’s fitness concerns, Nees is also looking closely at the performance of Zimbabwe’s overseas-based players. 

The coach is particularly focused on evaluating the fitness of Luton Town's star, a crucial player for the team, whose form and readiness are under close scrutiny. 

Nees is working with his coaching staff to determine whether the Hatters player is in peak physical condition to contribute effectively during the qualifiers.

Zimbabwe’s Warriors are currently at the bottom of Group C, with just two points from four matches. 

They face a tough task in the next round of World Cup qualifiers, where they will meet Benin and Nigeria. 

The team will first take on Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, on March 20, before traveling to Uyo to face Nigeria five days later.

With just a few days left before the squad announcement, the fitness of Nakamba and other key players will play a decisive role in the Warriors’ preparations. 

While the overseas-based players are in the midst of their respective league seasons, local players are only just starting their campaigns, leaving Nees with limited time to assess their fitness and form. 

These challenges highlight the difficulty of selecting a squad that can take on two strong opponents in Benin and Nigeria while keeping hopes of World Cup qualification alive.

Wale Adejumo

Photo Credit: zifa.org.zw

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