Zimbabwe head coach Brito Baltemar has surprisingly included Stade Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi in his final 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup double header against Rwanda and Nigeria at Huye Stadium on November 15 and 19 respectively.
Munetsi had not featured for the French Ligue 1 side since he broken his nose in club's 1-0 win over Lorient on October 28 when he was taken straight to hospital in the 66th minute.
The incident saw him miss his club's 1-0 win over Nantes November 5. The French club’s medical team at the time asked the player not to get involved in his country's November World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria to spare more time for his broken nose to heal.
However, the midfielder declared himself fit to play the qualifiers after playing all 90 minutes of action during Reims’ 3-0 defeat at home to Pari Saint-Germain on Saturday, courtesy of Kylian Mbappe’s hat trick.
Munetsi’s late addition is a big boost for Brito who now senses a sigh of relief as he hopes to see his star man dictate the midfield during the upcoming fixtures.
The Brazilian coach reportedly traveled to Kigali with just nine players of his 23-man final squad. They had their first training session at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, November 12 while Europe and US-based players start to join the group on Monday.
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Brito came under intense pressure from the Zimbabwean media after he called English-born players, especially those playing in youth teams, into the national team.
He has now dropped Liverpool youngster Isaac Mabaya, Wolves Academy star Leon Chiwome, Brentford goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva, Leicester City striker Tawanda Maswanhise, Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway and Cyprus-based defender Tendayi Darikwa.
Goalkeepers
Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn)
Washington Arubi (SuperSport United)
Martin Mapisa (FC Malaga City)
Defenders
Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders)
Peter Muduhwa (Highlanders)
Frank Makarati (Dynamos)
Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo)
Munashe Garan’anga (Sheriff Tiraspol)
Jordan Zemura (Udinese)
Tivonge Rushesha (Reading)
Divine Lunga
Midfielders
Brian Banda (FC Platinum)
Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims)
Andy Rinomhota
Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town)
Gerald Takwara (Ohod)
Tanaka Shandirwa (Dynamos)
Forwards
Obriel Chirinda (Bulawayo Chiefs)
Prince Dube (Azam)
Tinotenda Kadewere (Lyon)
Admiral Muskwe (Exeter City)
Walter Musona (FC Platinum)
Terrence Dzvukamanja (SuperSport United)