Marshall Munetsi is back in the Zimbabwe fold — and his return under new interim coach Kaitano Tembo signals a clear shift in direction for the Warriors ahead of the upcoming Unity Cup in London.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has confirmed the squad for the tournament, which will see Zimbabwe take on African giants Nigeria at Charlton Athletic’s The Valley Stadium on 26 May. The Unity Cup follows the conclusion of the European domestic season, making it an ideal window to call up players based on the continent.
Tembo, who recently replaced Mario Marinica as interim head coach, wasted no time putting his stamp on the national setup. One of his first and most significant calls was to bring back Munetsi, who was controversially excluded from Zimbabwe’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad despite reportedly being cleared to play after an injury.
That exclusion raised eyebrows at the time, and many felt the Stade de Reims-linked midfielder — currently on loan at Paris FC from Wolverhampton Wanderers — was hard done by. His recall under Tembo suggests the previous administration’s decision was more political than medical.
Marshall Munetsi’s Zimbabwe Recall Headlines Tembo’s First Squad Selection
Munetsi isn’t the only Wolves-affiliated player back in the picture. His Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate Tawanda Chirewa, currently on loan at League One side Barnsley, has also been included in the squad. Chirewa had been frozen out of the national team setup following a reported fallout with Marinica, after being left out of the March international break squad.
Both inclusions send a strong message — Tembo appears to be prioritising talent and form over any lingering personal disagreements from the previous regime.
On the local front, South African-based players feature prominently in the squad. Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga gets the nod, along with Magesi FC goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze — a familiar face in the Warriors setup — and Durban City’s Emmanuel Jalai.
Up front, the goalscoring responsibilities will fall on the shoulders of former SuperSport United striker Prince Dube, who lines up alongside TS Galaxy’s Junior Zindoga and Orlando Pirates forward Daniel Msendami. It’s a blend of experience and emerging talent that Tembo will be hoping can fire against the Super Eagles.
Notably absent from the squad are Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona — two of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable names in recent football history. Both players have reportedly picked up knocks, ruling them out of contention. Billiat, who is currently leading the scoring charts in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, will be a big miss if fitness continues to be a concern going forward.
The Unity Cup itself is shaping up as an intriguing showcase of African football on European soil. Zimbabwe face Nigeria in one semi-final, while Jamaica and India contest the other. It’s the kind of competitive, high-profile environment that Tembo needs to start building his vision for the Warriors.
For Munetsi specifically, this is an opportunity to remind everyone — both at club and international level — exactly what he’s capable of. At 29 years old, he is in the prime years of his career, and being denied the chance to represent his country at AFCON would have stung deeply.
Tembo’s decision to bring him back immediately speaks volumes about the direction the new coach wants to take. Zimbabwe football is pressing the reset button, and if this squad selection is anything to go by, it looks like a more inclusive, merit-based approach is on the horizon for the Warriors.