The Zimbabwe national football team has arrived in Birmingham ahead of the inaugural Unity Cup invitational tournament, marking the first time the Warriors will play an international fixture on English soil.
The four-nation tournament, scheduled for May 26 to 30, features Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Jamaica and India.
The Warriors will initially camp in the English Midlands before travelling to London on May 24 to finalise preparations. All tournament matches will be played at The Valley Stadium.
The tournament marks a fresh chapter for the Warriors following the resignation of Romanian coach Marian Marinica under unclear circumstances. Caretaker coach Kaitano Tembo will lead the side, assisted by Caps United gaffer Takesure Chiragwi.
The locally-based players and technical team departed Harare on Wednesday evening after an official send-off dinner hosted on Tuesday night, where Sports minister Anselem Sanyatwe urged the team to represent the country with pride.
“This is a historic moment for our nation. Go out there, maintain discipline and show the world the resilient spirit of the Warriors,” Sanyatwe said.
Zimbabwe Football Association confirmed that several Europe and South Africa-based players had already joined camp in Birmingham.
Captain Marvelous Nakamba, Marshall Munetsi, Tawanda Chirewa and Munashe Garananga are among the senior players already in camp.
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However, the squad has been hit by late withdrawals. Striker Tinotenda Kadewere has been ruled out through injury, while winger Bill Antonio was excused due to personal commitments.
Defender Divine Lunga also withdrew because of club commitments with Mamelodi Sundowns, who are preparing for the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR in Rabat on May 24.
With defender Aubrey Modiba nursing an injury, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso opted against releasing Lunga early.
In response, Tembo called up reigning Zimbabwe Player of the Year Washington Navaya, alongside Prosper Padera and Isheanesu Mauchi.
Zimbabwe will open their Unity Cup campaign against rivals Nigeria national football team on Tuesday, May 26.
Nigeria have named a developmental squad for the tournament, although midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been included to provide experience and leadership.
Beyond the Unity Cup, the Warriors technical team is using the tournament as preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin in September.
Zimbabwe has been drawn in a tough Group E alongside Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
