HARARE, Zimbabwe — Jordan Zemura says he is “heartbroken” to miss the Africa Cup of Nations after a thigh injury forced him out of Zimbabwe’s squad for the tournament in Morocco.
The Udinese fullback confirmed his withdrawal in an emotional Instagram post.
“You work so hard to achieve the small wins in your career. You give everything to the cause. You sacrifice everything, you work non stop. You fight till you can’t fight no more, just to represent the flag of your blood. Your mothers land your farther’s fields,” he wrote.
“You work to inspire the youth the ones after you, that’s all it ever was. Now at the final hurdle I’ve fallen, my body has given up I guess that’s the cost. The price you pay, however i will be back. I will defend these colours again. I will lead this team again.”
He added: “I wish my fellow warriors all the best luck in Morocco… Go and defend our colours and make us proud. I’m sorry I can’t be there with you I’ll be watching from a far but close in spirit! To the fans follow us scream for us shout for us. Again I am sorry Mwana whevu.”
Zemura was injured in Udinese’s 2-1 loss to Genoa on Monday. Marshall Munetsi was also ruled out. The Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder suffered a calf injury earlier this month and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Both players were missing from the 28-man squad named by new coach Mario Marinica, who has been in charge for only a month.
Zimbabwe open their Nations Cup campaign against Egypt in Agadir on December 22 and then face Angola and South Africa in Group B.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (Moors World of Sport)
Defenders: Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Teenage Hadebe (Cincinnati), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United), Godknows Murwira (Scottland), Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata)
Midfielders: Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirg Aue), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Prosper Padera (Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho), Andrew Rinomhota (Reading)
Strikers: Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree), Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Washington Navaya (TelOne), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy)..
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