Zimbabwe have named their provisional 30-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, but seemingly failed to convince Khama Billiat of making a u-turn on his retirement.
The in-form Kaizer Chiefs forward had announced his international retirement after the recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers but Zimbabwe officials had remained hopeful they could convince him to reconsider his decision.
Billiat, though, was the notable absentee from the Warriors squad, who have started preparations for the tournament in January.
Zimbabwe have assembled for their initial local camp with 22 men and all locally-based players of Norman Mapeza’s squad were present, ZIFA confirmed.
Former Amakhosi defender Teenage Hadebe, who no plays for Houston Dynamo, is attending a family emergency, while the flight of Supersport United’s Onismor Bhasera was delayed due to bad weather.
Tino Kadewere, captain Knowledge Musona, Jordan Zemura, David Moyo and Admiral Muskwe will all only team up with the rest of the squad in Cameroon.
At least two players will need to be cut for Zim’s final AFCON squad, as teams are allowed to register a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 28 players for the tournament.
Zimbabwe’s provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari (FC Platinum), Martin Mapisa (FC Zamora, Spain), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars, SA), Taimon Mvula (Dynamos).
Defenders: Peter Muduwa (Highlanders), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi, Georgia), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana, Zambia), Jordan Zemura (FC Bournemouth, England), Tapiwa Sibanda (Craneborne Bullets), Godknows Murwira, Frank Mukarati (Dynamos), Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy, SA), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo, USA), Bruce Kangwa (Azam, Tanzania), Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport, SA).
Midfielders: Temptation Chiwanga (JDR Stars, SA), Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum), Bill Antonio (Dynamos), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United, Zambia), Never Tigere (Azam, Tanzania), Ishamel Wadi (JDR Stars, SA), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport, SA), Shepherd Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Panashe Mutimbanyoka (FC Platinum)
Strikers: Admiral Muskwe (Luton Town, England), Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows, SA), Prince Dube (Azam, Tanzania), David Moyo (Hamilton Academia, Scotland), Knowledge Musona (Al-Tai, Saud Arabia), Tinotenda Kadewere (Olympique Lyon, France).
