Magesi FC goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze faces a decisive moment in his career ahead of the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Chipezeze has been guarding Magesi FC’s goals as they bid to retain their Betway Premiership status. Though Dikwena tsa Meetse have struggled to stamp their authority in the 2024/25 PSL season, Chipezeze has shown some glimpses of brilliance.
Notably, he won Man of the Match awards in four successive Carling Knockout Cup matches as voted by the fans. This was an unpreceded achievement in South African football. The 35-year-old delivered heroic performances as the Betway Premiership debutants secured the Carling Knockout Cup.
Most importantly, Chipezeze has raised his hand to be considered for Zimbabwe national team duty. He openly expressed his desire to return to the Zimbabwe national team fold. The former Baroka FC goalminder last played international football before the COVID-19 era.
He last featured at the 2019 AFCON finals when Zimbabwe suffered a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC]. In that match, he had forgettable experience after he made costly howlers. Since then, he has not been called up for national duty.
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Crucially, he faces a decisive moment as the Zimbabwe Warriors face Benin and Nigeria in Group C of the qualifiers on the 20th and 25th of March.
With Washington Arubi ruled out due to injury, Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees has been faced with a headache on who will fill in the void.
And Chipezeze is one of the natural favorites to step up. His performances at Magesi FC, despite the team’s struggles, have made a huge statement of what he can still offer.
The Warriors squad to face Benin and Nigeria is expected to be announced on Wednesday. And FARPost understands that Chipezeze and former Free State Stars goalminder Talbert Shumba are being considered to replace Arubi.
Shumba has been in top form at Scottland FC in their first games in Zimbabwe’s PSL. He was part of the squad that won the 2024 Zimbabwean PSL title.
In addition, Shumba also earned national team caps during Sunday Chidzambwa’s reign as head coach. Former SuperSport United target Donovan Bernard, who was the 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year, is also one of the favourites.
Meanwhile, two goalkeepers, Martin Mapisa and Marley Tavaziva, are set to be retained in The Warriors’ goalkeeping department.
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