Opposition watch: Brentford, Ipswich, Hibs, Barnsley players named in Zimbabwe's Unity Cup squad

The Zimbabwe Football Association has unveiled the Warriors' 23-man squad for this month's Unity Cup, set to take place at The Valley in London.

An analysis of the squad announced on Monday shows a balanced selection comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six forwards.

The UK-based contingent is spearheaded by Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, who boasts 71 Premier League appearances to his name.

Also included in the squad are Brentford goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva, Barnsley midfielder Tawanda Chirewa, Hibernian defender Munashe Garananga, Ipswich Town U21 centre-back Corbin Mthunzi and Sheffield Wednesday fullback Sean Fusire.

The 2026 Unity Cup gets underway on May 26 with a highly anticipated African showdown between defending champions Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Charlton Athletic academy graduate Ademola Lookman is unlikely to make an emotional return to The Valley, with Nigeria manager Eric Chelle indicating that he intends to hand opportunities to fringe Super Eagles players, standout Nigeria Premier Football League performers and dual-national talents.

Goalkeepers: Marley Tavaziva (Brentford, England), Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba, Zimbabwe), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi, South Africa)

Defenders: Munashe Garananga (Hibernian FC, Scotland), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town, England), Shane Maroodza (FK Sarajevo, Bosnia), Gerald Takwara (Al-Ittihad Misurata, Libya), Jordan Zemura (Udinese, Italy), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Emmanuel Jalai (Durban City FC, South Africa), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday, England)

Midfielders: Mongameli Tshuma (Highlanders, Zimbabwe), Marvelous Nakamba (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Aboubacar Moffat (Scotland, Zimbabwe), Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirge Aue, Germany), Marshall Munetsi (Paris, France), Tawanda Chirewa (Barnsley FC, England)

Attackers: Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC, Scotland), Prince Dube (Young Africans, Tanzania), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy, South Africa), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen, Belgium), Daniel Msendami (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Tino Kadewere (Aris Thessaloniki, Greece)