TINO Kadewere has bounced back into the Warriors team after he was included in the 23-man squad to face Kenya and Cameroon in the vital Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group J qualifiers later this month.
Zimbabwe “host” Kenya in Polokwane, South Africa, next Friday before facing off Cameroon in Yaounde, four days later.
Warriors coach Michael Nees yesterday named a strong squad for the two final group qualifiers, largely sticking to the players who have done duty for him in the previous qualifiers.
The team is unbeaten so far under Nees and is on the brink of Afcon finals qualification.
Kadewere is a notable inclusion in the squad as he will be looking to finally make his appearance under the German coach.
The France-based star pulled out of two previous national team call-ups against Kenya and Cameroon and the back-to-back clashes against Namibia due to an injury.
But the Nantes striker has fully recovered and featured for his club last weekend, scoring in a 2-1 defeat against Marseille.
His availability will certainly provide Nees with a wider pool of players to select from.
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The other notable returnee into the squad is that of Denmark-based defender Munashe Garananga, who missed the Namibia matches due to an injury.
Simba Bhora striker Tymon Machope, who helped his modest side to a league championship on Wednesday, has also been rewarded for a splendid season that he is enjoying, with a first national team call-up under Nees.
From the squad that faced Namibia, only Brendan Galloway (injury) and FC Platinum midfielder Brian Banda have been dropped.
Derby County’s Tawanda Chirewa has also been left out as he is recovering from an injury.
Zimbabwe are second in Group J of the Afcon qualifiers with eight points and only need to avoid a defeat against Kenya to secure their ticket to the finals in Morocco next year.
Should they falter against the Harambee Stars, the Warriors will have to beat group leaders and already qualified Cameroon in their backyard to go through.
Kenya have four points and need a perfect record in their final two group matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia to clinch their ticket to the finals.
Namibia have zero points and are out of the race for the Morocco finals.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)
Defenders: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese)
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum)
Forwards: Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City)
