Warriors hit by double injury worry ahead of AFCON qualifiers

The Warriors have been dealt a double injury setback just a few days before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with reports that Tino Kadewere and Isaac Mabaya both picked up knocks on Saturday.

Kadewere was forced off in the 81st minute of Aris Thessaloniki’s 0-0 draw against Iraklis in the Greek Super League. The forward, who had started the match, sustained an undisclosed knock and had to be substituted.

On the same day in England, Liverpool right-back Isaac Mabaya’s long-awaited Warriors debut was thrown into doubt after an early injury in Premier League 2.

ISAAC MABAYA’S WARRIORS DEBUT LIKELY TO BE DELAYED

Isaac Mabaya in action. Picture by Liverpool FC

Mabaya had made a dream start against Brighton U21, bursting forward to provide a low assist for Josh Sonni-Lambie’s opener in the second minute of Liverpool’s 5-1 win. However, he appeared to injure his groin in the process and was withdrawn after just six minutes.

Both players were named in the final Warriors squad for the crucial AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Liverpool and Aris Thessaloniki are yet to reveal the nature of the injuries, but the setbacks are likely to hamstring Ramon Catala’s plans in what will be his maiden games at the helm of the Warriors.

Jordan Zemura was already sidelined after picking up an injury at Watford a week ago, further depleting Catala’s options.

For Mabaya, the setback is particularly worrying. The 21-year-old missed a large part of last season through injury and was only recently back in action. He was in line to earn his first senior cap for Zimbabwe during the upcoming international break.

Zimbabwe will now anxiously await medical assessments to determine whether the duo can link up with the national team for Catala’s first assignment.

WARRIORS SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Elvis Chipeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (Hardrock), Nelson Chadya (Scottland)

DEFENDERS: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Munashe Garananga (Lyngby BK), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town), Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Emmanuel Jalai (Scottland), Peter Muduhwa (Scottland), Kevin Moyo (Scottland), Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool)

MIDFIELDERS: Marshall Munetsi (Wolves), Andy Rinomhota (Reading FC), Abubakar Moffat (Scottland), Marvellous Nakamba (Panetolikos), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki)

FORWARDS: Thando Ngwenya (Amazulu), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Daniel Msendam (Marumo Gallants), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Prince Dube (Hardrock), Tino Kadewere (Aris Salonica)

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