Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TWO national teams dispatched for duty in Morocco and South Africa respectively is an astonishing feat coming from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
Recent memory shows that even a single match for the Warriors would come with a lot of logistical short-comings. The new administration seems to be changing the script.
How times have changed.
Coach Michael Nees and the majority of the Warriors’ experienced squad arrived in Morocco for international friendlies against Burkina Faso, set for Friday and Niger four days later.
In Bloemfontein, the 2025 COSAFA Cup will have a Zimbabwe developmental side led by Simon Marange, raising the flag and trying to get counted against odds.
In the friendly matches, both Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso are using the games to fine-tune their teams for upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers and AFCON finals later this year.
The German gaffer, Nees, will also use this opportunity to assess new players as well as try to pick up points to improve the country’s international ranking.
Dynamos captain Emmanuel Jalai, Highlanders’ Mason Mushore and Daniel Msendami, and UK Sheffield Wednesday player Sean Fusire are the last batch of the Warriors expected to be in Morocco this morning.
Jalai and Mushore were in action in the battle of Zimbabwe that was given an early Kick-off at Rufaro on Sunday, while Fusire and Msendami were in the country for logistics.
“The Warriors have arrived safely in Casablanca,” said a ZIFA official.
On the other hand, the youthful second squad, under the guidance of Marange, will be hoping to make an impact in the COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
They are in Group A along with hosts South Africa, Mozambique and Mauritius, with only group winners advancing to the semis.
Speaking ahead of the COSAFA Cup, Marange confirmed that his squad, boasting an average age of just 21, had assembled in Bloemfontein.
“We will train tomorrow (today) as the team arrives this evening (yesterday) in Bloemfontein,” Marange said.
“Yes, we have everyone in camp, with the team travelling to Johannesburg and then Bloemfontein.”
Marange is confident in the blend of the young players and some experienced guys.
He is the face leading the development of a squad — the Olympic team.
“With the new players, we will have to allow them to adjust, to find themselves within our way of playing, and this will also be helped by the senior guys such as Mbeba (Andrew) and Mapisa (Martin).
“I expect us to play with a lot of energy, no fear, and exuberance,” he said.
“We will be tested, but this is an opportunity for the players to raise their hands and accept responsibility.”
Marange believes this is the right litmus test for the young players to establish themselves on the big stage.
“Well, this is the best way to find out. We have to test them, but also as coaches, equip them and help them get ready for the challenge, but ultimately they have to take the challenge and the opportunity to learn and grow,” he said.
