The announcement of the provisional Mighty Warriors squad for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Qualifiers has raised eyebrows, with star player Rudo Neshamba’s conspicuous absence from the team sparking speculation.
While the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has not officially commented on Neshamba’s exclusion, sources close to the team suggest that the decision may have been due to a combination of factors, including form, fitness, and team dynamics.
Neshamba, a key player for the Mighty Warriors in previous tournaments, has been a consistent performer for her club team. However, her absence from the national team has raised questions about the selection criteria and whether there are any underlying issues.
The provisional squad, led by Coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda, boasts a mix of local and international talent, including Australia-based forward Yolanda Kanyai and Emmaculate Msipa and Ruvimbo Mucherera, who play in Israel.
As Zimbabwe prepares to face Angola in the first round of the qualifiers in February, fans and pundits alike are left wondering why Neshamba is not part of the squad. Only time will tell if the decision to exclude her will pay off for the Mighty Warriors.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Vanessa Lunga (Chapungu Queens), Lindiwe Magwede (Herentals Queens), Precious Mudyiwa (Black Rhinos Queens), Sasha Machona (Maningi YSA)
Defenders: Sheila Antonio (Chapungu Queens), Egness Tumbare (Correctional Queens), Nobukhosi Ncube (Chapungu Queens), Alice Moyo (Herentals Queens), Nokukhanya Ndlovu (FC Platinum Royals), Fortunate Ngocho (Black Mambas Queens), Purity Mugayi (Black Rhinos Queens)
Midfielders: Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos Queens), Emmaculate Msipa (Ramat Hasharon WFC, Israel), Shyline Dambamuromo (Herentals Queens), Danai Bhobho (Young Africans, Tanzania), Mavis Chirandu (Black Rhinos Queens), Christabel Katona (Black Rhinos Queens), Ennert Chemhere (FC Platinum Royals), Morelife Nyagumbo (Faithdrive Academy), Nadia Semba (Correctional Queens), Natasha Ndowa (Chapungu Queens), Patience Ndlovu (Highlanders Royals)
Forwards: Ethel Chinyerere (Chapungu Queens), Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos Queens FC), Yolanda Kanyai (Darwin Olympic Sporting Club, Australia), Ruvimbo Mucherera (Maccabi Hadera WFC, Israel), Maud Mafuruse (Herentals Queens), Mitchel John (Harare City Queens), Anita Ncube (Faithdrive Academy)