Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S countdown to the Afcon 2025 tournament has taken on a sharper edge, with Vice-captain Godknows Murwira rallying the nation behind the Warriors ahead of their opening match on Sunday in Morocco.
Murwira, who will deputise skipper Marvelous Nakamba at the tournament, says he is ready to shoulder the responsibility following the injury setback that has ruled out Marshall Munetsi.
“I just want to thank God for the opportunity,” said Murwira. “It’s always pleasing to get such recognition. However, it’s all about teamwork and getting the job done on behalf of the nation.”
The Warriors arrived in Morocco on Wednesday and have begun settling in as they adjust to the December Mediterranean climate ahead of their Group B opener against continental heavyweights Egypt on Monday.
Zimbabwe will also face Angola on Boxing Day before closing their group programme against neighbours South Africa three days later.
Murwira has already stepped into a leadership role in camp, alongside experienced campaigners Washington Arubi, Teenage Hadebe, Divine Lunga, Gerald Takwara and former captain Knowledge Musona. He believes the Warriors have a genuine chance to break new ground by advancing beyond the group stages for the first time. Zimbabwe have failed to clear that hurdle in their previous five Afcon appearances.
“This time it’s different; we are not going just to add numbers. We are going to try our level best so that we progress to the next round. If you look at the profiles of our opponents, it’s not going to be easy, but we have to come to the party. I also want to urge our fans to keep supporting the team, especially those travelling to Morocco. They should rally behind the team from the first whistle to the last in every game.
“Of course, it comes with pressure on our part because the support means we need to deliver. But we need that to get results. Zimbabweans generally love football and winning games is the only way to make them happy,” said Murwira.
The 32-year-old defender is set for his second Afcon finals appearance, having been part of the Warriors squad at the 2021 edition in Cameroon, where he featured once in the 2-1 win over Guinea in the final group match. He will be hoping for a bigger role this time.
The Warriors, who are based in Marrakech, open their campaign against Egypt on Monday at the 45,000-seater Grand Stade d’Agadir in the coastal city of Agadir, about 250 km from their camp.
They will return to Marrakech for the Angola clash on Boxing Day at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, before the Limpopo Derby showdown against South Africa on December 29, again at the same venue.
Zimbabwe are among the tournament underdogs, with a 0,26 percent chance of lifting the trophy, according to projections by football analytics firm Opta.
The Warriors are ranked second from bottom, ahead of neighbours Botswana on 0,12 percent. Hosts Morocco top the list on 19,16 percent, while Egypt sit second on 12,75 percent.
The Pharaohs have not won the title since completing a record seventh triumph in 2010. For Zimbabwe, the immediate task remains finding a way through the group phase.
The top two teams from each of the six groups qualify automatically for the round of 16, joined by the four best third-placed sides.
“Being the underdog in the group means we are starting from somewhere. Everyone has been an underdog at some point, and I believe this is the opportunity to demonstrate what we are capable of,” Murwira said.
Bongani Ndlovu