IT is just one week and a few days before the Warriors of Zimbabwe make the trip to Rwanda for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
These are the most important matches in this World Cup journey; games in which Zimbabwe must pick up at least three points to stay in the race for that maiden World Cup appearance.
Nothing short of that will see Zimbabwe eliminated before the real battle for Africa’s increased nine World Cup slots has even begun.
Sadly, though, Zimbabwe according to information at hand will play their home game against the Super Eagles away in Rwanda.
However, one thing that is not certain is the availability of players like (pictured from left) Andy Rinomhota, Tawanda Masvanhise, Leon Chiwome, Tivonge Rushesha, and Isaac Mabaya, who have been called for national duty for the first time.
What we have not been told is whether the Zifa normalisation committee has spoken to these and the other players on their availability for the Warriors at this very crucial time.
What we do not want to see is these players chickening out at the last minute and Zimbabwe failing to raise a team for the two World Cup qualifiers.
Rinomhota, for example, has on numerous occasions turned down invitations to play for the Warriors and there is no guarantee that he will respond positively this time around.
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What is heartening is that most of these players are not playing regularly for their teams which could make their availability for the Warriors most likely.
This, though, is also another sticking point as the players’ current form is also a cause for concern as they have not been regularly active.
Why and how the national team coach picked them for the national team is a subject for another day but what is important is for them to come and play.
This clearly shows the shallow pool Zimbabwe has in terms of football talent compared to the likes of Nigeria who have thousands of footballers scattered all over the globe.
What we are also not sure is whether the normalisation committee has put everything in place to ensure the players’ travel to either Zimbabwe or direct to Rwanda.
The last time around it was player invitation through WhatsApp messages and we cannot continue to be making one blunder after another.
The players’ availability can only be guaranteed only when it happens because everything the normalisation committee has touched so far has brought with it a host of other problems.
A few weeks ago this committee made the nation believe that they had organised a friendly match with Botswana only for news to come through from Gaborone that they were not aware of the development.
We are also not sure whether the stadium to host Nigeria has been secured in Rwanda because so far it is just hearsay and nothing to confirm it.
What we know for sure is that nothing so far is guaranteed until only when it really happens.
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