CAIRO, Egypt – Zimbabwe will be missing star midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda and forward Nyasha Mushekwi for their second Africa Cup of Nations Group A match against Uganda on Wednesday evening.
Uganda beat DR Congo 2-0 in their opening match as Zimbabwe narrowly lost 1-0 to Egypt.
Zimbabwe coach Sunday Chidzambwa was critical of his team’s attack in the defeat to Egypt. He must look to his reserves for Mushekwi’s replacement in attack, with Danny Phiri favoured to step in for Nakamba.
“Losing a first game in a tournament, that happens in football. You will also be aware that we were playing against a very good side that was playing at home in front of a capacity crowd. I thought we did very well, losing by a single goal,” Chidzambwa told journalists on Tuesday.
“After the game, during training sessions, we tried to work on our mistakes. We were not good enough in our attacking third. We’ve been trying to rectify that.
“We look forward to a very good game against Uganda. We did not come here to add numbers but to compete, and I’m sure we will compete against Uganda.”
Defeat for Zimbabwe would most certainly get them eliminated in what is their fourth appearance at the Nations Cup finals. They have never gone beyond the group stage.
The injury to Nakamba is a personal blow to him amid reports that he is being watched by scouts from England, with Aston Villa said to be chasing his signature. The midfielder currently plays for Club Brugge in Belgium.
