Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH two key assignments unfolding simultaneously, Zimbabwe’s national football programme enters a crucial testing phase, balancing long-term development with immediate competitive objectives.
Warriors coach Michael Nees has confirmed that several fringe and returning players will feature prominently in the upcoming international friendlies against Burkina Faso and Niger in Morocco.
He is using the two matches to prepare for the 2025 AFCON finals.
At the same time, a youthful Zimbabwe side get their COSAFA Cup campaign this evening in Gqeberha, South Africa, underlining ZIFA’s two-track strategy to deepen the national talent pool.
The senior squad is currently based in Casablanca where they’ll face Burkina Faso on Friday and Niger next Tuesday.
Nees plans to give some minutes to players returning from injury or seeking to stake a claim, including Belgium-based winger Bill Antonio, Nantes forward Tino Kadewere and goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
“In terms of team development, we want to integrate these new players,” Nees said. “We basically will have to play with a completely new midfield because all the players who usually play or start in the midfield are out.”
Antonio, now at K.V. Mechelen is yet to feature under Nees due to injury but is being closely assessed.
“He is a versatile player, a real winger and a very dynamic one and I think we will be very keen to see how he will fit into our way of playing.
“The last time he was with the Warriors was long before my time,” said Nees.
Also under evaluation are midfielder Jonah Fabisch, Highlanders’ Mason Mushore, called in to replace the injured Richard Hachiro, and SuperSport United striker Terrence Dzvukamanja, who steps in for the sidelined Prince Dube.
“We have some players who came back from a long injury as well, like Tino (Kadewere) or even Bill Antonio. Although (Antonio) is already playing, he has not yet been having 90-minute games.”
The coach confirmed that most of the players in Morocco will see action during the friendlies, which serve as a litmus test for potential AFCON selection.
The tournament is scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.
“We want to give as many players as possible game time in these two friendlies. The mood looks to be really good and we want to see how the new faces gel in and how we can assemble, very quickly, a competitive team,” said Nees.
