THE Zimbabwe Football Association is in the eye of a storm after the last-minute inclusion of Scottland midfielder Nathan Mutasa in the Warriors squad set to participate in the upcoming Cosafa Cup tournament set to kick off in Bloemfontein, South Africa, tomorrow.
The tournament runs until June 14.
Mutasa, the son of socialite and businesswoman Pokello Nare, was not in the initial squad announced by Warriors coach Michael Nees last week.
But unexplained last-minute changes to the squad saw the midfielder drafted into the travelling party.
He was pictured at the airport yesterday afternoon in his Warriors regalia before the team's departure to Bloemfontein.
Reports suggested that Dynamos' Vusa Ngwenya was dropped from the squad to make way for Mutasa.
It was not clear last night what necessitated the last-minute change, or if it had the blessings of Nees, who is already in Morocco with the main Warriors squad for friendly matches.
Zifa, surprisingly, did not announce, as they usually do, the change to the Warriors squad, while Scottland FC announced the development on their social media handles before quickly deleting the posts.
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In the few games that Mutasa has played for Scottland, he has looked desperately short of the standards required to play in the top-flight league.
Most Warriors fans took to social media to question his inclusion in the squad.
“In this life, it's all about who you know and how you know them," wrote Benjamin Banda.
“This has to be one of the most shameless things I’ve ever witnessed in Zimbabwean football. The game has been hijacked. It’s no longer about talent or passion, but power and shady backroom deals," Callum Chirisa wrote.
Michael Manhiyo simply wrote, "This is sad," while Sydwell Nhidza commented, "What a pity."
The Warriors squad left for South Africa yesterday ahead of their opening match against Mauritius tomorrow.
Kick off is 6pm.
Zimbabwe are in Group A, together with hosts South Africa, Mozambique and Mauritius.
Zimbabwe have never lost to any of their pool opponents in the competition — Mozambique (W3 D2) and Mauritius (W2) to go with their unbeaten record against South Africa.
They are the six-time champions of the Cosafa Cup, with their last triumph coming in 2018 under coach Sunday Chidzambga.
Since then, Zimbabwe has been sending weakened sides for the tournament. The team did not make it out of the pool stage in their last showing in 2021.
Junior coach Simon Marange will be in charge of the Warriors Cosafa squad this year, assisted by Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphahla.
The main Warriors squad is away in Morocco where they will play friendly matches against Burkina Faso and Niger this week.
Warriors Cosafa squad
Goalkeepers: Martin Mapisa (Mwos), Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds), Tatenda Chikohwero (Ngezi Platinum Stars).
Defenders: Tashinga Mashonganyika, Arter Kaseke, (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Allan Chapinduka, Simba Takaedza (TelOne), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Kurainashe Musanhi (Crystal Palace, ENG).
Midfielders: Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki, FIN), Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham City, ENG), Junior Makunike (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Nisbet Muzenda (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Kennedy Mupomba (Chelmsford, ENG), Calvin Chigara (TelOne), Nathan Mutasa (Scottland).
Forwards: Tinotenda Meke (Simba Bhora), Mafios Chiweta (Highlanders), Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Thando Ngwenya (Fc Platinum), Tanaka Cherera (Bury Fc, ENG), Denzel Mapuwa (GreenFuel).
