Warriors interim coach Jairos Tapera has expressed reservations about immediately thrusting the British-based players with Zimbabwean heritage into the deep end of the national team.
Tapera’s comments echo those previously made by his predecessor, Norman Mapeza, who faced criticism for not giving more playing time to the so-called “British Brigade” during the Four Nations tournament in Malawi in March 2024.
The current Warriors squad includes three UK-based players: midfielder Joey Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday), defender Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield), and goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva (Brentford).
While Tapera handed Phuthi his debut as a late substitute against Zambia, he is yet to field Maroodza and Tavaziva.
Ahead of the Warriors’ final Hollywoodbets COSAFA CUP 2024 Group B game, Tapera said he planned to rotate the team against Kenya to give all players a chance to showcase their abilities, allowing the technical team to assess their performances.
However, Tapera intimated that Tavaziva may have to wait a bit longer for his international debut. He said:
<blockquote>
Many people wish for these boys [based in the United Kingdom] to play, but it is very tricky. It does not work like that.
We are working with these boys and we have to get to a situation where we think they are now ready to play at this level.
As for Marley, he is a talented young man, but I don’t want to play him and set him up for failure. We will play him at the right time when we see that he is ready and can do well.
If we throw him at the deep end and he makes a mistake and the team loses, I would have killed his confidence and ultimately his progress.
</blockquote>
In April, Mapeza hit back at criticism suggesting that he intentionally sought to frustrate European-born players during the Four Nations tournament in Malawi by giving them limited game time.
Mapeza faced criticism for providing limited playing time to members of the “British Brigade,” including Tawanda Maswanhise, Phuthi, Tivonge Rushesha, Maroodza, and Tavaziva.
Mapeza, who played for several clubs in the Turkish Super Lig, including Galatasaray S.K., Ankaragücü, Altay S.K., and Malatyaspor, said he assessed the players and established that they were not yet ready for the national team. He said:
<blockquote>
I did my assessments and saw that some of these guys are not ready yet to play for the national team.
They (the players) had come from the UK and some people were not happy they did not play. So, they look for stories…
I searched for information on all these players that came here. Apart from a few, they play mostly in the Under-21s.
What I may recommend is that we start them at the Under-23 level and we develop them from there. I tell you we will have a good team in the future.
But it was like I was the problem. But what’s important is the development of Zimbabwean football more than the attacks on Mapeza or anyone.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe will face Kenya this afternoon in their final pool game, aiming to secure a top spot finish in the group without suffering any defeats.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Tapera Cautious With UK-Based Players' Integration Into Warriors Squad

Newcastle United forward <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Michael_Ndiweni">Michael Ndiweni</a> made his English Premier League debut at St James Park on Saturday in a 4-1 win over Chelsea.
The 19-year-old forward, who was born in Throckley, Newcastle to Zimbabwean parents replaced Anthony Gordon in the 92nd minute.
Ndiweni mainly featured for Newcastle’s Under 21s but trained with the senior team regularly in the past season.
Speaking in an interview with Chronicle Live last year, Ndiweni, who scored 14 goals in 19 matches for Newcastle’s under-18 squad last season, including scoring in the under-21s’ Papa John’s Trophy, said:
<blockquote>
It’s exciting because we’re doing so well, and daunting because the standard is getting better every single game.
If you think about last season to now, we’re third in the Premier League.
The standard is always increasing; you just don’t want to be left behind. It’s about working hard, and trying to keep up and get into the first team.
The standard is really, really high. The gaffer (Eddie Howe) demands so much, and it’s good.
He’s just changed the way the team is playing, and he demands a lot from the young players which is really good.
</blockquote>
Ndiweni joined the Newcastle youth set-up at the age of 12 and is eligible to play for Zimbabwe or England in international football.
Reports suggest that ZIFA is trying to persuade Ndiweni to play for the Warriors.
If he eventually decides to wear the Warriors jersey, Ndiweni will join a long list of UK-born footballers such as Tendayi Darikwa, Jordan Zemura, Andy Rinomhota, Tivonge Rushesha and Brendan Galloway, who have been called up to represent Zimbabwe.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Michael Ndiweni Makes English Premier League Debut

Andy Rinomhota, a 25-year-old UK-based footballer with Zimbabwean heritage has finally committed to play for the Warriors.
Rinomhota was born in Leeds, United Kingdom, to a Zimbabwean father and a British mother.
Several Warriors coaches over the years have asked him to play for the Zimbabwe national team but he has snubbed the call-ups.
The Cardiff City midfielder was also named in the provisional Warriors squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 finals but ignored the call.
However, speaking during a recent press conference, Rinomhota said he will apply for a Zimbabwean passport so that he can showcase his talent at AFCON. He said:
<blockquote>
The time they called me up I was injured. Since then it would be an issue of applying for a Zimbabwean passport.
I haven’t gone around that process yet, but it’s something I will look into.
AFCON is a great platform to showcase your abilities. It’s another experience and another side to my game I could add, getting international experience.
I haven’t looked at it too in depth, but I think I’d have to get a Zimbabwean passport.
</blockquote>

UK-born Midfielder Commits To Play For Warriors

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) explained the rationale behind the inclusion of UK-based players in the Warriors squad for the next World Cup qualifiers despite facing travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela on Wednesday said the Association is engaging the English clubs and hope they will release the players.
On Tuesday English Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to bar their players from travelling to red-listed countries during the September international break.
Zimbabwe is on the list that contains the riskiest countries deemed to have the potential to spread the coronavirus in the UK. Said Gwesela:
<blockquote>
We are still hopeful that all players will be available for the matches despite the adverse position taken by the English Premier League to bar players from fulfilling the national assignments citing England’s stringent quarantine regulations.
We are engaging all clubs that have intimated that they are going to withhold players, hoping they will fulfil their obligations to release players as stated in the regulations on the status and transfer of players.
We are confident that the team that we will eventually come up with will still represent the nation with pride and compete to the best of their abilities as true Warriors.
</blockquote>
UK-based players who could miss the upcoming matches include Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, Luton striker Admiral Muskwe, Ipswich forward Macauley Bonne, Bournemouth defender Jordan Zemura, David Moyo of Hamilton Academical and Wigan Athletic captain Tendayi Darikwa.
Zimbabwe faces South Africa at home on 3 September before travelling to Ethiopia for the second Group G qualifier four days later.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.soccer24.co.zw/2021/08/25/zifa-explains-inclusion-of-england-based-stars-in-warriors-squad/">Soccer24</a></h4>

ZIFA Hopeful Over "British Brigade's" Availability For WCQs

Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic, has criticised some of the Zimbabwean footballers born in the United Kingdom for their questionable commitment to playing for Zimbabwe.
The Croatian did not reveal the players’ identities but said there are three individuals who seemingly have divided loyalties. He said:
<blockquote>Warriors is just a nickname, anyway, Zimbabwe is giving you the options to represent this country, and you are doubting.
If you are born in this country, you should respect this country.
If your parents were born here you should make your parents proud and play.
And, if you are not showing commitment for the country you are born in, or where your real parents come from, then you are not welcome.
… It’s not necessary to say the names. They didn’t show commitment and it’s the end of the story.</blockquote>
Logarusic was speaking amid reports that some footballers born to Zimbabwean parents in the diaspora, among them Reading midfielder Andy Rinomhota and Queens Park Rangers forward Macauley Bonne – both playing in the English Championship – have expressed reservations over playing for the Warriors.
Meanwhile, Jordan Zemura, who made his senior debut for Bournemouth recently, Adam Chicksen of Notts County, Scotland-based David Moyo and Nottingham Forest fullback, Tendayi Darikwa is back after a long lay-off from injury, have all in the squad for the back to back AFCON qualifiers against Algeria this month.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/british-brigade-trio-slammed/">The Herald</a></h4>

British Brigade Latest News

Latest Jobs