Fungai Muderere, [email protected]WITH impressive goal scoring statistics in the just ended 2023 Chinese Super League, the omission of Nyasha Mushekwi in the national team should be something to raise eyebrows on the selection criteria.
Numbers do not lie, Mushekwi has been an outstanding Zimbabwean striker abroad and he outshone some who play even in inferior leagues who could not even muster half a dozen goals all season.
Warriors interim coach Brito Baltemar should have explanations to make.
The bustling former CAPS United and Mamelodi Sundowns forward has been bossing defenders in China in a season he finished as the first runner in the Chinese Super League Golden Boot contest with 18 goals to his name.
Mushekwi grabbed his last goal in the league's final match when they played against Shanghai Shenhua.
Last season, the Zimbabwean scored 18 times.
Brito recently named a 27-member Warriors squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria.
Strikers that include Tawanda Masvanhise of Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Leon Chiwome and Admiral Muskwe among others earned call ups despite the fact that they have been found wanting in front of goal compared to Mushekwi, Daniel Musendami and South Africa based Knox Mutizwa who have been on target in matches in the run up to the selection.
Mutizwa seems to have rediscovered his goal scoring form at Golden Arrows.
In 2021, Mushekwi, a veteran of many Warriors battles, finished the season as the Chinese top goal getter with 23 goals to his name, three ahead of Nigeria's Chisom Egbuchulam.
"So this guy is not good enough for Warriors? Depending on the current form," quizzed one Tafadzwa Magenga following a Zimpapers Sports Online story on Mushekwi's breathtaking goal scoring ability published yesterday.
Alex Fraser concurred: "He is good my brother.
"The Warriors squad has earned so much criticism from pundits and fans alike.
As a result, it remains to be seen how they will perform against Rwanda and African football giants Super Eagles.
Brito's men are in Group C, and will travel to Rwanda for both matches as they will play host to Nigeria in Rwanda, since the country does not have a stadium good enough for international matches.
Despite criticism Brito said his choices were not influenced by "who is who" but were for "the best interests of Zimbabwean football.
"This is despite an always existing plot to have UK based players in the side to profile them at the expense of national pride and honour.
"We do not look into the status of the players, all decisions will be made in the interest of Zimbabwean football," said Brito who has also started getting criticised at Bosso for alleged lack of tactical ability.
Warriors SquadGoalkeepers: Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn), Washington Arubi (SuperSport United), Martin Mapisa (FC Malaga City), and Marley Tavaziva (Brentford).
Defenders: Tendayi Darikwa (Apollon Limassol), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Peter Muduhwa (Highlanders), Frank Makarati (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), Munashe Garan'anga (Sheriff Tiraspol), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading).
Midfielders: Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City, Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Gerald Takwara (Ohod), Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool), 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), Leon Chiwome (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Tawanda Masvanhise (Leicester City).
- @FungaiMuderere.
