By Zim Sport Live Writer
Liverpool youngster Isaac Mabaya has been included in Zimbabwe’s provisional squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 21-year-old right-back’s inclusion comes in the same week he reached another milestone at Liverpool, having been named in the club’s 25-man Premier League squad for the 2026-27 season.
Mabaya could now be in line for his first senior appearance for the Warriors after recently acquiring his Zimbabwean passport. Born in Preston to Zimbabwean parents, he has represented England at youth level but remains eligible to play for Zimbabwe.
His international call-up comes at an important stage of his Liverpool career, with the club facing uncertainty at right-back.
Conor Bradley is sidelined with a serious knee injury, while Joe Gomez is also unavailable. Jeremie Frimpong has faced fitness and consistency issues, potentially giving Mabaya an opportunity to move closer to regular first-team involvement.
Mabaya joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of six and initially played as a central midfielder before being converted to right-back during the 2020-21 season, following a similar positional pathway to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He signed his first professional contract in 2021 and has since extended his deal.
His senior debut came in February 2025 when he replaced the injured Gomez early in Liverpool’s FA Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle. He had previously been an unused substitute in a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven.
A loan spell at Wigan Athletic last season was intended to provide regular senior football, but a lower-limb injury restricted his involvement.
Mabaya has since returned to fitness and has started both of Liverpool Under-21s’ matches this season, completing 90 minutes in Sunday’s game against Leeds.
He is one of eight England-based players in Ramon Catala’s first Warriors squad, alongside Watford’s Jordan Zemura, Wolves pair Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa, Reading’s Andy Rinomhota, Sheffield Wednesday’s Sean Fusire, Ipswich Town defender Corbin Mthunzi and unattached pair Brendan Galloway and Marley Tavaziva.
Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise is among the attacking options, with experienced forwards Knowledge Musona, Tino Kadewere and Prince Dube also included.
AmaZulu forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has been rewarded for his strong start to the South African Premiership season, while KV Mechelen winger Bill Antonio, Orlando Pirates forward Daniel Msendama and CAPS United striker Ishmael Wadi are also part of the squad.
Catala has retained several players who featured under his predecessors Michael Nees and Mario Marinica, with Marvellous Nakamba expected to provide experience in midfield.
Zimbabwe’s qualifiers against Sierra Leone and the DRC will give Catala his first competitive assignments since taking charge of the Warriors.
Zimbabwe squad
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Nelson Chadya (Scotland), Martin Mapisa (Hardrock), Marley Tavaziva (unattached).
Defenders: Jordan Zemura (Watford), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Munashe Garananga (Lyngby), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town), Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Brendan Galloway (unattached), Emmanuel Jala (Scotland), Kevin Moyo (Scotland), Peter Muduhwa (Scotland), Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool).
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Wolves), Andy Rinomhota (Reading), Abubakar Moffat (Scotland), Marvelous Nakamba (Panetolikos), Prosper Padera (SJK), Knowledge Musona (Scotland), Mongameli Tshuma (Highlanders), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves).
Forwards: Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Prince Dube (Hardrock), Tino Kadewere (Aris Salonica), Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya (AmaZulu), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Daniel Msendama (Orlando Pirates), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy).