Coach Nees Makes Injury Change for World Cup Qualifiers

Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees changed his team yesterday because of an injury. He replaced team captain Marvelous Nakamba with Richard Hachiro, who plays in the local league. Hachiro played great when Ngezi Platinum Stars beat Scottland in a recent match. The coach called him just before the team left for South Africa.

Hachiro joins goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, Dynamos captain Emmanuel Jalai, Isheanesu Mauchi from Simba Bhora, and six Scottland players, including Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, and Godknows Murwira. These ten Zimbabwe-based players arrived first in Durban. They plan to train for three days before playing their Group C home game against Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium this Thursday.

Players from foreign teams start joining them today as they prepare for two games. After Benin, they face Nigeria at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday. Star player Billiat feels excited about his national team duty. He told Scottland media he loves representing his country and always tries his best for the nation.

Billiat thanked coach Nees for picking him and promised fans he would give everything during the games. He appreciates everyone's support for the team because it makes them want to play better. Walter Musona looks forward to playing with his brother Knowledge, who just came back from international retirement. Walter said they needed to work harder than before since they already made it to AFCON.

Dynamos defender Jalai waits for his chance to play after sitting on the bench during previous call-ups. He learns a lot from teammates who play in Europe. Scottland midfielder Mthokozisi Msebe feels happy about his first national team selection. He credits hard work for this opportunity and wants to help his country win.

Coach Nees watches both local and overseas players closely as World Cup matches resume. Zimbabwe started slowly in Group C, sitting at the bottom with just two points from four games. They tied twice and lost twice under previous coaches Baltemar Brito and Jairos Tapera. This marks the first World Cup campaign for Nees as head coach.

Rwanda, Benin, and South Africa all have seven points at the top of the group. Lesotho has five points, and Nigeria has three. Former captain Knowledge Musona canceled his retirement and should arrive in Durban after playing 45 minutes for Al-Okhdood against Al Ahli on Saturday. Andy Rinomhota returned from injury for Cardiff City during their 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in England.

Rinomhota played 61 minutes in his usual right midfield position after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Tawanda Chirewa came on as a substitute for Huddersfield Town when they beat Crawley Town 5-1 in English League One. He returns to the Zimbabwe team after missing four games because of a thigh injury.

Tawanda Maswanhise missed the matchday squad when Motherwell tied 2-2 against St. Mirren in Scotland. Jordan Zemura started for Udinese, but his team lost 0-1 to Verona in Italian. Serie A. Munashe Garananga might be the last player to join the team because FC Copenhagen played against Viborg FF yesterday in Denmark.
 

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