When the senior national team of Zimbabwe released the list of players called up to the team for the world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Nigeria respectively, Liverpool 19 year old right back Isaac Mabaya was the shock inclusion in the list, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
He was named in the provisional list of 27 players called up for both games, but wasn’t included in the final 23 players selected by head coach Baltemar Brito three days ago.
Mabaya who has endured a torried time with injuries since making his first team breakthrough last year in pre season with the first team is slowly walking his way back to full fitness after almost a year out with games for the B team.
Born in Preston to parents of Zimbabwean descent he has represented England at various levels but still remains eligible for Zimbabwe as he is yet to be capped at senior level, but it appears that like previous times he has once again rejected the chance to switch nationality.
In March last year his father told the Herald that his son who can also play in midfield isn’t going to play for Zimbabwe due to complications around his dual nationality status. The same situation is likely why he isn’t in the final list of 23 players for their upcoming games.
“He does not have dual-citizenship,” Mabaya’s father, David, told the Herald in March of last year.
“We realised it’s too complicated to play for Zimbabwe, [with] passports etc., it’s a bit of a hassle.”
