Andy Rinomhota says he is delighted to be back with the Warriors after a lengthy absence as Zimbabwe prepare to launch their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Sierra Leone on Thursday.

Zimbabwe face Sierra Leone at Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco, before returning home to meet the DRC at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on September 28.

For Rinomhota, the return marks the end of a frustrating period away from the national team.

“It feels really good. Like you said, it does feel like a long time I've been away. Maybe three camps I've missed now. So, really happy to be back, looking forward to the games ahead and just looking forward to trying to get a good start in these qualification games,” Rinomhota said.

The Reading midfielder last featured for Zimbabwe in March 2025, playing in the Warriors' 1-1 draw against Nigeria in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. He had also started the earlier 2-2 draw against Benin.

Rinomhota subsequently missed Zimbabwe's final World Cup qualifiers after spending about five months without a club following his departure from Cardiff City. He also missed the Warriors' friendly matches against Algeria and Qatar before returning to contention after rejoining Reading.

His absence also meant he did not feature when Zimbabwe participated at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, despite being selected in the final squad. Rinomhota withdrew from the tournament camp shortly after arriving in Morocco, citing an urgent family matter.

The midfielder now returns to a Warriors squad under new coach Ramon Catala and says the early signs within the new-look team have been encouraging.

“It's going to be quite a quick turnaround to get the training together, get acquainted with everyone. But I think so far the camaraderie is really good between the squad,” he said.

“The relationship between the coaches and the players already is high. And I think we changed the squad a little bit before. I think everyone comes in and gels really quickly, and you can see that with the way we're training on the pitch. We'll just hopefully take that connection into the game as well.”

Rinomhota has also embraced a more senior role within the Warriors dressing room.

The 29-year-old, who made his Zimbabwe debut in November 2023, says his experience can now help younger players settle into the national team environment.

“Unfortunately they're getting older, but I don't mind taking on that role,” he said.

“I've been obviously one of the younger lads, and having senior players around you can always be helpful. So I'm just now trying to provide that to some of the younger lads and provide any experience, any knowledge that I can pass on, on the pitch, off the pitch, and just trying to make any transition for them coming into the team easier.”

Rinomhota recalled how senior players helped him when he first joined the Warriors and believes it is now his responsibility to offer the same support to newcomers.

“I think I've had that previously because even Marshall's not older than me, but me coming into my first camp here made it very easy. So now it's kind of my job to help do the same,” he said.

The Reading midfielder is also wary of underestimating Sierra Leone or any of Zimbabwe's opponents in the qualifying campaign.

“I think any teams you're playing against in the qualifiers are always going to be tough games, wherever you're playing,” Rinomhota said.

“Obviously, some teams have better quality than others individually, but as a team, I think every game is going to be a tough game.”

The Warriors are in Group E alongside Sierra Leone, DRC and Equatorial Guinea in the race for places at the 2027 AFCON finals.

Rinomhota says Zimbabwe must approach the opening match with the right mentality and avoid giving their opponents any opportunity to gain an early advantage.

“We know what to expect. We know what we need to go into these games with the right mindset to make sure we start on the front foot and get off to a good position in the group,” he said.

“So we're not going to take any games lightly and, like I said, everyone's moving in the right direction to try and give their all and get off to a good start to make our country…”