Harambee Stars centre back Joseph Okumu is expected to face his teammate Marshall Munetsi in the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group J qualifier opener.This follows Munetsi’s inclusion in the 23- man Zimbabwean squad for the assignment that will be hosted next month in Uganda.Given the significance of the match, Kenyans expect Stars head coach Engin Firat will recall Okumu to the team.Both Okumu and Munetsi,are attached to French League One side, Stade Reims,and will look to inspire their respective countries to positive starts in the hunt for a ticket to the finals set for Morocco.Zimbabwe national team head coach Michael Nees, while naming the squad, reserved most of the slots to players to ply ther trades in foreign leagues.##NAJAVA_MECA_8290621##The squad also includes Tawanda Chirewa from English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tinotenda Kadewere of FC Nantes.Andy Rinomata of Cardiff City, Prince Dube of Young Africans and Brentford goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva have also earned a cap.Kenya is scheduled to host the Warriors on September 4 at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda.Kenya was forced to seek an alternative venue since no stadium in the country met the standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).Omala’s sudden return to Kenya from Lebanon explainedThis will be the third time the two teams face each other this year.In March, Kenya defeated the Warriors 3-1 to win the Four Nations Tournament in Malawi, and later, they secured a 2-0 victory in the COSAFA games.Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat is expected to name his squad this week, with Richard Odada and Benson Omala likely to be included.Mara Sugar’s Samuel Odaro reveals target after bagging brace in league openerZimbabwe Squad List:Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn)Defenders:Gerald Takwara (Al Minna SC), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage HadebeMidfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)Forwards:Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinum)Technical Team: Michael Nees (Head Coach), Takesure Chiragwi (Assistant Coach), Pernel McKop (Goalkeepers Coach), Abraham Mbaiva (Fitness Trainer), James Makoni (Performance Analyst), Nick Munyonga (Team Doctor), Steve Hungwe (Physiotherapist), Lennon Gwara (Masseur), Shariff Mussa (Team Manager)
