Zimbabwe interim head coach Kaitano Tembo has unveiled a 24 man squad for the upcoming 2026 Unity Cup in London as preparations continue for the friendly invitational tournament later this month.
A balanced squad was selected by Tembo, with three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and eight attackers included for the competition. The Warriors will head into the tournament hoping to make a strong statement against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Only two home based players were named in the squad, with goalkeeper Future Sibanda and midfielder Mongameli Tshuma earning places in the final list.
One of the major talking points from the squad announcement is the return of assistant captain Marshall Munetsi. The midfielder is back with the national team for the first time in almost five months after his controversial omission from Zimbabwe’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by former head coach Marian Marinica.
Udinese defender Jordan Zemura has also returned to the Warriors setup. The defender will make his first appearance for the national team since November 2025, adding experience and quality to the squad ahead of the tournament.
Zimbabwe are scheduled to face Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the first semi final of the Unity Cup at the Valley in London on Tuesday, 26 May. The encounter is already generating excitement, with both nations expected to field competitive teams for the high profile fixture.
Nigeria head into the tournament as defending champions after lifting the Unity Cup title in dramatic fashion last year. In May 2025, the Super Eagles defeated Jamaica 5-4 on penalties after an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Brentford Community Stadium in London.
Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze found the net for Nigeria during regulation time, while Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz fought back strongly to force the game into a penalty shootout. The Super Eagles eventually kept their composure from the spot to seal the trophy.
That success handed Nigeria their second Unity Cup title after previously winning the inaugural edition of the competition in 2004.
With Zimbabwe welcoming back key players and Nigeria defending their crown, another exciting Unity Cup contest is expected in London.
