Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA are looking ahead with optimism, with a belief that continuity could unlock future success for the nation’s football.
Focus in the Warriors and at the association has now shifted to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin in March, following another fruitless campaign at the 2025 edition currently underway in Morocco.
For the sixth time, Zimbabwe bowed out in the group stages, but there were a lot of positives drawn from that campaign.
ZIFA have hinted that they will not rock the ship and will make sure there is continuity.
While a number of veterans who include goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Knowledge Musona and Alec Mudimu are in the twilight of their careers and might not be part of the 2027 Nations Cup in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, dubbed Pamoja, both excitement and optimism have been generated by the emergence of a younger generation fronted by the talents of Tawanda Maswanhise, Bill Antonio, Jonah Fabisch, Daniel Msendami, Munashe Garananga and Tawanda Chirewa.
Maswanhise has hit top gear at Scottish Premiership side Motherwell while Msendami this week sealed a move to South African giants Orlando Pirates.
Warriors coach Marian “Mario’’ Marinica could also be tempted to start the 2027 qualifiers with a rebuilt squad, comprising some upcoming stars.
And it is against this background that ZIFA are confident the future will be bright for the game. “Our focus immediately shifts to the road ahead.
“There are important competitions on the horizon, including the African Games, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Olympic pathway, the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations — whose qualification rounds begin in March — and, in the longer term, the 2030 FIFA World Cup,” ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers begin in March, although Zimbabwe will not be involved in the preliminary stage, to be contested by the continent’s lowest-ranked teams.
A month later the FIFA 2026 Women’s World Cup Under 17 qualifiers will then start with Zimbabwe facing Uganda in the first round.
Zimbabwe will also take part in the Senior COSAFA Cup in mid-year.
“We also have the regional COSAFA tournaments for all national team ages from schools to the senior teams both male and female.
“We have a lot of football to look ahead to, and we must be competitive in all spaces,” added Magwizi.
Previous ZIFA executives tinkered with the Warriors’ technical set-up after every AFCON exit but Magwizi has hinted that Marinica might stay for a longer period.
“Each of the upcoming competitions requires careful planning, early preparation and alignment across technical, administrative and commercial structures.
“What we are committed to is continuity — ensuring that each tournament feeds into the next, rather than starting from zero every cycle,” Magwizi said.
Kwinji 15 eyes more exposure for young players
With ZIFA bracing for a busy 2026 term, Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda believes more international exposure for junior girls could unlock success for the nation soon.
Sibanda has also urged fans to manage their expectations when the national teams go into battle.
Her sentiments come in the aftermath of the senior men’s team, the Warriors’ failure to proceed beyond the group stage at the AFCON which climaxes with the final in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday.
She also lauded ZIFA for registering the Young Mighty Warriors for the competition.
“Obviously, these games are very important in the sense that the girls don’t only get the exposure, but it is also important for the proper development of the women’s game,” Sibanda said.
“So, let me just say I must applaud ZIFA for registering the girls to participate in these Under-17 qualifiers.
“It’s important for these girls. When they get to play for the senior national team they will have been exposed to junior international football.
“Football requires proper development,” added Sibanda, a former Zimbabwe international.
Based on experience, Sibanda wants the nation to manage expectations.
“Let me be quite frank and honest, this is the time as a nation when we need to desist from thinking that we are the best or that we are better than many other countries.
“We are as good as we prepare, also as much as we invest in our game.
“We cannot just tell ourselves, we are better just because we were better back then, these days it’s about the exposure, it’s about what you are putting into the game, it’s about what investment you are putting into the players for them to develop.
“It’s about how many competitions you are playing for the players to develop and to get that exposure so for me these Under-17 World Cup qualifiers are good.
“It’s good exposure for the girls.”
With the local women’s leagues set to commence in late March or early April, Sibanda is worried about the players’ fitness ahead of the qualifiers.
“We could be at risk of having players that are not really fit because they will be coming from the off-season, so it is very wise that we start preparations as early as possible.
“When we look at women’s football, most teams start training maybe in February because they know our leagues usually start in April.
“We don’t really have a fixed date in terms of when we start leagues, so teams don’t invest earlier in their training.
“Some start even in March so as a nation maybe it’s prudent that we look at how we start our preparations so that our players really are conditioned for the Under-17 qualifiers.”
Sibanda also sees the future of the Mighty Warriors in the current youth squad.
She believes a well-structured development programme will make her life easier at the national team level.
“When I have these juniors playing in these competitions, getting exposed, it makes the job easier at the senior level because you know the players have a lot of exposure.
“We are not yet at that high professional level, so we need to really make sure that our national team is really prepared for these qualifiers,” added Sibanda.
