AFCON: Zimbabwe open to return of midfielder Andy Rinomhota

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has confirmed Andy Rinomhota, who requested to leave camp to attend to family matters, will return to join the team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Rinomhota left the Warriors camp before they jetted to Morocco citing “an urgent family matter that requires my full personal attention.”

The midfielder, who plays EFL League One club Reading, said in a statement: “I wish to inform the public that I have had to withdraw from the Zimbabwe Men’s National Team camp, effective immediately, due to an urgent family matter that requires my full personal attention.

‘I was fully committed to this opportunity’

“I am deeply gutted to miss out on a tournament of this magnitude. Representing Zimbabwe at the highest level has always been a source of pride, and while I was fully committed to this opportunity, the timing of this family matter means I am not in the right psychological space to give the team my very best.

“This decision has not been taken lightly. I remain fully committed to the national team and look forward to returning to duty once the family matter has been resolved.

“I would like to wish my teammates and the entire technical group the very best at the tournament. I will be supporting them wholeheartedly and praying that Zimbabwe goes all the way.

“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Football Association for the opportunity and support they have given me. I respectfully request privacy for myself and my family during this period.”

ZIFA have now issued a contradicting statement insisting that the player will be available to play at AFCON.

Below is ZIFA statement;

“The Zimbabwe Football Association advises that Zimbabwe Men’s National Team player, Andy Rinomhota, requested to be released from the current Warriors camp to attend to a personal family matter.

“Following discussions with the player, the technical team and the Association agreed to the request in the best interests of all parties. ZIFA respects and supports the player’s decision and appreciates the professional manner in which the matter was handled.

“Andy Rinomhota remains part of the national team setup, and the Association looks forward to his return once the matter has been resolved. The Zimbabwe Football Association kindly requests that the privacy of the player and his family be respected during this period.”

The Warriors will begin their AFCON campaign against Egypt on 22 December, before taking on Angola on 26 December. They will round off their group-stage matches against South Africa on 29 December.

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