Bafana rivals make surprise AFCON decision on ex-Chiefs stars Billiat and Musona

Bafana Bafana AFCON 2025 rivals Zimbabwe have unveiled their 55-man preliminary squad for the tournament and there are some surprising decisions made by new coach Marian Marinica.

The Romanian tactician, who replaced Michael Nees this month, has just seen his players during the recently concluded international window and seems to have been convinced by some and not others.

Marinica has recalled Wolves star Marshall Munetsi with PSL stars Washington Arubi and Elvis Chipezeze among those making the preliminary squad, same as Marvelous Nakamba, Teenage Hadebe and Junior Zindonga among others.

Former Chiefs stars among big omissions

However, while Scottland FC made history by becoming the first team in over 40 years to win the Zimbabwean league immediately after promotion, some of their leading lights have missed out on the AFCON squad.

These include former Kaizer Chiefs forward Khama Billiat and ex-Amakhosi midfielder Knowledge Musona.

The two played a key role in Scottland FC’s run to the title but will have to watch AFCON 2025 from home although ex-Orlando Pirates striker Terrence Dzvukamanja, who also plays for the club, made the cut.

Billiat had had high AFCON hopes

Billiat, who returned to the national team after a three-year absence under Nees for the AFCON 2025 and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, did not make the cut despite having been a key player under the German tactician, who played him for 87 minutes against Bafana Bafana last month.

That seems like it could be his last match for Billiat unless Marinica changes his mind but Zimbabwe will play AFCON without him as he looks set to miss a second straight tournament.

Zimbabwe are in Group B, alongside Bafana Bafana, Egypt and Angola with their opening match on December 22 against the Pharaohs before they take on the Palancas Negras on Boxing Day and conclude group stage action with South Africa three days later.