Zimbabwe’s AFCON 2025 preparations have taken an early blow after three members of the provisional squad were officially released from camp due to injury.
ZIFA confirmed that Tymon Machope, Xolani Ndlovu and Andrew Mbeba have been ruled out following medical examinations carried out by the Warriors’ technical and medical teams.
In a statement, the association said the trio had been withdrawn “as a precaution to safeguard their long-term fitness,” thanking the players for their professionalism and wishing them a swift recovery.
The locally based group began reporting for duty on Sunday, with the full 23-man final squad expected to be announced next week—ten days before the tournament kicks off.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle have entered discussions with ZIFA regarding the release date of defender Brendan Galloway.
The League One club wants the player available for their fixture against Wycombe Wanderers on 9 December, one day after the official reporting date for AFCON squads.
Argyle coach Tom Cleverley told the Plymouth Herald that the club is hoping for flexibility:
“We expect Brendan to be called up. We are in communication with the federation… We’re hoping he can play the Wycombe game and then travel as scheduled.”
While camp is now underway, headlines were dominated by Walter Musona’s response to his omission.
ZIFA stated that the Scottland FC captain suffered a hamstring issue during the Algeria friendly and failed to submit the required ultrasound report on the first day of camp, leading to him being sent for an MRI.
Musona pushed back on social media, posting a picture in national team colours with the caption: “1000% fit.”
He may still be reinstated, depending on official scan results.
Alongside Musona, five other players have been dropped from the preliminary list: Machope, Ndlovu, Mbeba, Emmanuel Jalai and Junior Makunike.