Zimbabwe's Tino Kadewere Hints at International Retirement Amid Criticism

Zimbabwean footballer Tino Kadewere, 28, has hinted at retiring from international football after facing criticism over his recent call-up to the national team. Kadewere, who plays for Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon, was included in the squad by interim Warriors coach Jairos Tapera for the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa.

Kadewere, who has struggled to secure a first-team spot at Lyon and has been loaned out for the second successive season, has been under scrutiny from a section of Zimbabweans. Some believe his performance and lack of playing time at his club make him an unfit choice for the national team.

The pressure appears to have taken a toll on Kadewere, leading him to hint at retirement from international football. On his Facebook page, Kadewere shared an image of himself in the Zimbabwe national team jersey with the hashtag "last dance," accompanied by Drake's "God's Plan" playing in the background.

Zimbabwe is set to play Lesotho on June 7 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg and South Africa on June 11 in Bloemfontein. These matches could potentially be Kadewere's final appearances for the Zimbabwe national team.

If Kadewere were to retire from international football, he would follow in the footsteps of former Warriors teammates Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat, who also turned their backs on the Zimbabwe national team.

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced the gate charges for the match against Lesotho, with ticket prices set at R50 for adults and R30 for children under 12 years old. These tickets are available online.

Zimbabwe is hosting Lesotho in South Africa because all local stadiums were deemed unfit to host international matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Following the Lesotho match, the Warriors will face Bafana Bafana at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Kadewere's potential retirement marks a significant moment for the Zimbabwe national team, as they prepare for pivotal World Cup qualifiers. The upcoming matches against Lesotho and South Africa will be closely watched, not only for the team's performance but also for Kadewere's final decision on his international career.

Key Takeaways

• Zimbabwean footballer Tino Kadewere hints at retiring from international football.
• Kadewere faces criticism over recent national team call-up due to limited club playing time.
• He shares "last dance" post on Facebook, suggesting potential final appearances.
• Zimbabwe to play Lesotho on June 7 and South Africa on June 11 in World Cup qualifiers.
• Kadewere's retirement would follow former teammates Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat.