WARRIORS coach Michael Nees has received a big blow ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations Group J qualifiers against Kenya and Cameroon, with defender Brendan Galloway set to miss the two crucial matches.
His English championship side, Plymouth Argyle, has confirmed that the defender will be out of action for about four to six weeks due to an ankle injury he sustained on national duty earlier this month.
Club coach Wayne Rooney said a scan on the 28-year-old’s ankle shows that he needs at least a month to fully recover.
“Brendan will be [out for] four to six weeks with an ankle injury,” the Manchester United and England legend, told the Plymouth Herald.
“I know he hasn’t played much this season, but he’s a big part of what we are trying to do.
“I’m disappointed to lose him and hopefully just after the next international break, we can get him back.”
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Galloway was injured in the first half of Zimbabwe’s Group J game against Namibia last Monday, which was played at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He was replaced by Teenage Hadebe.
The former Everton man had also started in the reverse fixture the previous week as Zimbabwe closed on securing a ticket to the Afcon finals to be hosted by Morocco next year.
Zimbabwe now need to avoid defeat against Kenya for them to clinch Afcon qualification for the sixth time in their history.
The Warriors will host the Harambe Stars and travel to Cameroon away to complete their Group J qualifiers.
Cameroon have since qualified for the finals, but are yet to indicate the stadium and the date for their clash with the Warriors.
Zifa have settled for a Friday 6pm kick off on November 15 for their crucial home match against Kenya.
It is the injury to Galloway that is a huge worry to Nees, who is also fretting over the fitness of another central defender Munashe Garananga.
The Copenhagen star missed the Warriors’ last two matches due to an ankle injury and it’s not known when he will be back in action.
The defender has also missed his club’s matches in recent weeks.
Zifa are considering hosting the Warriors make-or-break Group J Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya in Polokwane, South Africa.
The Zimbabwe football leaders had set sights on returning to Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg for the next match, but coach Michael Nees is said to prefer Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium, which he says has a got a better playing surface.
Zimbabwe hosted Namibia at Orlando Stadium this month, having also played against the same team at the same venue a few days earlier.
Cameroon are on top of the log with 10 points, followed by Zimbabwe with eight, while Kenya have four.
Namibia are out of contention with no points on their tally having lost all their matches so far.
The Warriors are hoping to seal their ticket before they travel to Douala for their final game against the Indomitable Lions.