Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza has rued the absence of some senior players from the Warriors squad that is at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Cameroon.

Mapeza told Zimbabwe Football Association tweeter handle that it was a pity some players who were involved in the AFCON qualifiers will miss the showdown due to various reasons such as injuries.

“It’s a pity that the guys who played most of the AFCON qualifiers are not here. I wish them a speedy recovery,” he is quoted saying.

Zimbabwe will miss the services of winger Khama Billiat of Kaizer Chiefs after he retired from international football whereas Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, Marshall Munetsi (Reims), Tendai Darikwa and Brenda Galloway (Wigan Athletics) are sidelined by injuries.

The interim coach also dropped some notable names such as striker Knox Mutizwa of Golden Arrows FC and left-back Divine Lunga of Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa.

However, Mapeza said he was confident in the players who have made the final squad.

“[But] I think we have got some guys whom we have called in. They will do a good job when we go to Cameroon,” he is quoted saying.

Mapeza named his final 23-member squad for the AFCON finals with strikers Knowledge Musona and Tinotenda Kadewere as among the few experienced campaigners.

The Warriors left for Cameroon on Wednesday ahead of the kick-off of the tournament on January 9 2022.

Zimbabwe are in the same group with Malawi, Senegal and Guinea.

The Warriors start the campaign against the Lions of Teranga on January 10 before taking on Malawi and Guinea on January 14 and 18 2022.

Fulls squad:

GOALKEEPERS:

Petros Mhari, Martin Mapisa, Talbert Shumba

DEFENDERS:

Peter Muduhwa, Alec Mudimu, Teenage Hadebe, Jordan Zemura, Godknows Murwira, Gerald Takwara, Gilroy Chimwemwe, Bruce Kangwa,  Onismor Bhasera

MIDFIELDERS:

Kelvin Madzongwe, Thabani Kamusoko, Kudakwache Mahachi, Wadi, Never Tigere, Benyu

STRIKERS:

Admiral Muskwe, Prince Dube, David Moyo, Knowledge Musona, Tinotenda Kadewere