Ramon Catala Names Zimbabwe AFCON 2027 Squad As Major Stars Miss Out

Zimbabwe Warriors coach Ramon Catala has unveiled his squad for the opening two Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with several established names missing from the final selection. The announcement has immediately generated discussion among Zimbabwean football supporters who were expecting to see some of the country’s most recognisable players involved. Zimbabwe are preparing for Group J encounters against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo as they begin their campaign to qualify for the continental tournament. Catala has opted for a squad that combines experienced internationals with locally based players and Zimbabweans playing their football abroad. The selections suggest that the Spanish coach is prepared to make bold decisions as he begins shaping the Warriors according to his vision.

Among the biggest names included in the squad is Marshall Munetsi, who continues to be an important figure in Zimbabwean football and brings international and European experience to the midfield. Andy Rinomhota has also been selected, giving the Warriors another midfielder with experience at a competitive level outside Zimbabwe. Panetolikos star Marvelous Nakamba is another key inclusion and could provide valuable experience and control in the middle of the pitch. Liverpool youngster Isaac Mabaya has also made the squad, offering Catala an opportunity to introduce a player with strong development potential into the senior national team environment. Sheffield Wednesday forward Sean Fusire completes another notable overseas-based inclusion and gives Zimbabwe another attacking option as the qualifiers approach.

Scottland FC has a strong presence in Catala’s squad, highlighting the growing importance of domestic-based players in the Warriors setup. Goalkeeper Nelson Chadya has been selected alongside defenders Emmanuel Jalai and Peter Muduhwa, while midfielder Abubakar Moffat also features among the call-ups. Forward Tino Kadewere is another Scottland player included and brings significant experience to an otherwise changing squad. The strong representation from the club gives Catala access to players who have been competing together regularly at domestic level. It also shows that the coach is not relying exclusively on Zimbabweans based overseas when deciding which players can contribute to the national team’s AFCON qualification campaign.

The omissions, however, are expected to dominate much of the conversation surrounding the squad. Knowledge Musona is one of the most prominent absentees, despite being one of Zimbabwe’s most decorated recent internationals. Musona returned to the Warriors in 2025 after previously stepping away from international football and has played an important role for the national team over the years. His experience, leadership and record mean that his absence is unlikely to go unnoticed as Zimbabwe prepare for two demanding qualifying fixtures. Catala will therefore face questions about whether the decision reflects tactical considerations, competition for places or a broader plan to build a different Warriors team.

Walter Musona is another significant omission that has surprised many supporters. The Scottland FC attacker was identified as one of the notable players missing when Catala announced his provisional squad, making his absence particularly significant given his domestic form and familiarity with the national team setup. Khama Billiat has also been left out, adding another experienced attacking player to the list of absentees. Billiat remains one of the most recognisable names associated with Zimbabwean football and his exclusion is likely to fuel further debate among supporters and analysts. With both Billiat and Walter Musona unavailable for these opening fixtures, Catala will need the selected forwards to provide enough attacking threat against two competitive opponents.

Washington Navaya is another omission that has raised questions, particularly because of his performances in the domestic Premier Soccer League. The forward had been among the leading scorers in the competition, making his absence from the Warriors squad an unexpected development for many football followers. Domestic form often plays an important role when national coaches assess players for international duty, so leaving out a prolific scorer naturally creates debate about the criteria being used. Catala’s decision suggests that scoring numbers alone may not determine his selections, with other factors potentially influencing his tactical plans. The coach will now have to demonstrate that his chosen attacking options can deliver when Zimbabwe face stronger opposition in competitive matches.

The opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers will provide an early test of Catala’s approach to managing the Warriors. Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo represent serious opposition, meaning Zimbabwe will need organisation, discipline and efficiency if they are to make a strong start in Group J. The absence of several experienced players places greater responsibility on those selected to perform immediately. Players such as Munetsi, Nakamba, Rinomhota and Kadewere will be expected to provide leadership while younger selections such as Mabaya and Fusire adjust to the demands of senior international football. The balance between experience and fresh talent could ultimately determine whether Catala’s first major squad decisions prove successful.

For Zimbabwe, the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign represents more than just the pursuit of points. It is also an opportunity for Catala to establish his identity as Warriors coach and build a team capable of competing consistently at continental level. His decision to leave out established names such as Knowledge Musona, Walter Musona and Khama Billiat has already placed attention firmly on his management choices. If the new-look squad produces positive results, the omissions could eventually be viewed as evidence of a coach willing to make difficult decisions for the long-term benefit of the national team. If results do not go Zimbabwe’s way, however, those decisions will face much greater scrutiny from supporters and football observers.

Catala has therefore begun his Warriors tenure with a squad that carries both opportunity and pressure. The inclusion of established internationals, overseas-based players and promising younger footballers gives Zimbabwe a varied group from which to build. At the same time, the absence of several high-profile names means every result will be closely examined, especially during the opening matches against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The coach now has the chance to prove that his selection strategy can produce a competitive Zimbabwe side while moving the national team into a new phase. The AFCON 2027 qualifiers will ultimately provide the clearest answer to whether Catala’s bold squad decisions can help Zimbabwe take another step towards continental qualification.