Ex-Nsingizini Hotspurs striker for AFCON Finals

By Sibusiso Masilela

Big moment for former Nsingizini Hotspurs striker Junior Zidonga.

The lanky TS Galaxy striker has been included in the 25-member final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The continent’s showcase will take place in Morocco between December 21 and January 18, 2026.

This is according to the ‘Warriors’ squad released by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) on Thursday.

Zidonga had a one-season stint with the reigning MTN Premier League champions last season.

He was part of the ‘Insingizi yezulu’ squad that competed in the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup against Betway Premiership side Stellenbosch FC under the guidance of Zimbabwe mentor Alexio Sergion.

He later left the Shiselweni-based side due to family commitments before securing a move to Marumo Gallants.

He later moved to the Mpumalanga-based side.

Eswatini’s top female referee, Letticia Viana, will be part of the Video Assistant Referees panel during the biennial continental assignment.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals are the culmination of the tournament, where the top teams from Africa compete for the prestigious title.

The finals are held every two years, with the most recent final taking place in 2024, where Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 to claim the championship.

The format of the finals has evolved over the years, with the introduction of extra time and penalty shoot-outs as tie-breaking methods. The tournament’s history is marked by Egypt’s dominance, with seven titles to its name.

Goalkeepers

Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants)
Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi)
Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)

Defenders

Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC)
Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC)
Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday FC)
Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen)
Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC Libya)
Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora FC)
Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle FC)
Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati) Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United)
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Midfielders

Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town FC)
Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirg Aue)
Andrew Rinomhota (Reading FC)
Prosper Padera (SJK Seina Joki)
Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC)

Strikers

Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen FC)
Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United FC)
Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC)
Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants FC)
Prince Dube (Young Africans SC)
Washington Navaya (TelOne FC)
Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree FC)
Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy FC)
Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scotland FC)