daniel chigunwe
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sport
CAN Michael Nees complete the 2025 AFCON campaign without a defeat?
Or can he become the first coach to beat Cameroon at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium since it was opened in 1972?
That is 52 years of an unbeaten home run.
The Warriors coach has a chance to make the biggest statement of his career today when he leads his team into a final day showdown with Cameroon at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde this afternoon.
Under Nees’ stewardship, Zimbabwe have demonstrated a renewed sense of purpose and are unbeaten since the German took over the reins in August.
The Warriors secured their spot in next year’s tournament with a game to spare, sitting second in Group J with nine points, trailing Group J leaders Cameroon by two points.
Marc Brys has also guided the Indomitable Lions to the AFCON finals without a defeat and with two games to spare.
The Warriors can win the group if they win today. Nees appeared unbothered yesterday despite a barrage of questions from the Cameroonian journalists who even reminded him that the home side has not lost a match at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium since its inauguration in 1972.
Zimbabwe could be the first team to achieve the feat in 52 years if they upstage the West Africans.
“It’s the first time I hear this historical fact but we have to give our best,” Nees said.
“We play a big team in Africa and we are not scared. We also can play football as we demonstrated in the first game in Uganda.
“Let’s see how the match will go tomorrow. Hopefully it will be an exciting match for all the supporters and the better team should win.”
The 57-year-old coach believes there is more to play for as the Warriors are keen to improve their rankings.
The Warriors have now moved 12 places up since the German coach took over.
“For sure we are not coming here for a holiday. We have to play a match and although both teams have since qualified it’s still a football match that we have to respect with the best possible performance.
“We have to show respect to everybody who is a football lover and a football fan who invests his time and money to come and watch the match.
“We know the first place is not yet guaranteed to any team and I think both teams can play without any pressure because we have all qualified.
“So, it could be a more exciting game and on the other side we also respect our opponents. So, we take the game seriously. The FIFA rankings will also be affected by such things.
“We lost a few points on the FIFA rankings because we sent a development team to the CHAN which also comes with the FIFA rankings. So we want to stay unbeaten in the qualification so there is a lot to play for.”
Online Reporter