Billiat axed from Zimbabwe’s AFCON squad, four added

Unless something drastic happens in the coming days, Zimbabwe football poster boy Khama Billiat will not represent the Warriors at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

The former Kaizer Chiefs star name was conspicuously missing on Wednesday when coach Marian ‘Mario’ Marinica released his provisional 55-member squad ahead of the continental football showpiece scheduled for Morocco in December. However, Knowledge Musona has been included in the squad.

The Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team, provosional squad selected by Head Coach Marian “Mario” Marinica, to participate in the AFCON 2025 in Morocco.https://t.co/6260GwZHoa#ZIFA #PressRelease

— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) November 26, 2025

Billiat has just helped Scottland FC win the Zimbabwe’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL), but both did not make the best XI of the season.

Billiat and Musona were not part of the camp training in Saudi Arabia and Qatar where Zimbabwe lost 3-1 to Algeria before beating Qatar 2-1 earlier in November.

The trip to the Gulf Region was marred by reports of a big fallout between the Romanian coach and some players amid claims of racial abuse. The Zimbabwe FA dismissed such reports.

Who are additional four players in Zimbabwe squad?

Foreign-based players have dominated the squad with the South African Premier Soccer League contributing goalkeeper Washington Arubi and his Marumo Gallants’ team mate Daniel Msendami.

The other Betway Premiership stars in the Warriors squad are award-winning goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC), striker Thandolwenkosi Methuseli Ngwenya (AmaZulu FC) and Mamelodi Sundowns’ defender Divine Lunga.

England-based skipper Marvelous Nakamba is also part of the squad alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers duo of Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa.

Having initially called up 51 players, Marinica has since called up four more players on Thursday bloating the squad to 55 following the inclusion of shmael Nyanhi, Wilfred Madzungu, Junior Jarrison Selemani and Genius Hute.

“Following ongoing assessments and monitoring of player performances, the technical team has identified the need to broaden the pool in specific positions. As such, four (4) additional players have been added to the provisional list initially announced earlier today,” ZIFA statement reads

Full provisional squad:

1.Washington Arubi

2. Martin Mapisa

3. Elvis Chipezeze

4. Godknows Murwira

5. Emmanuel Jalai

6. Isheanesu Anselmo Mauchi

7. John Gerald Tungamirai Takwara

8. Munashe Peter Garananga

9. Teenage Lingani Hadebe

10. Brendan Joel Zibusiso Galloway

11. Jordan Bhekithemba Zemura

12. Jonah Reinhard Fabisch

13. Thandolwenkosi Methuseli Ngwenya

14. Daniel Msendami

15. Bill Leeroy Antonio

16. Tawanda Jethro Maswanhise

17. Walter Tatenda Musona

18. Tymon Machope

19. Tawanda Blessing Chirewa

20. Marshall Nyasha Munetsi

21. Marvelous Nakamba

22. Prince Mpumelelo Dube

23. Divine Xolile Lunga

24. Prosper Padera

25. Sean Sheunesu Fusire

26. Andrew Farai Rinomhota

27. Terrence Dzvukamanja

28. Washington Gift Navaya

29. Bonne Macauley

30. Nelson Tapiwa Chadya

31. Donovan Fungai Benard

32. Kevin Njabulo Moyo

33. Peter Muduhwa

34. Andrew Kabila Mbeba 3

5. Albert Manenji

36. Xolani Ndlovu

37. Abubakar Moffat

38. Junior Makunike

39. Kingsley Mureremba

40. Joseph Tulani

41. Mthokozisi Msebe

42. Nigel Elfas Matinha

43. Ishmael Wadi

44. Emmanuel Tafadzwa Ziocha

45. Billy Vheremu

46. Obriel Chirinda

47. Junior Zindoga

48. Alec Mudimu

49. Tadiwa Joshua Chakuchichi

50. Webster Tanaka Tafa

51. Knowledge Musona