Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in Marrakech, Morocco
THE Warriors have reached this point before with hope flickering and calculators working overtime, but rarely with their fate this clean. Beat South Africa and Zimbabwe walk into the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. Lose, and the door closes.
It is that simple, and that heavy.
Tomorrow’s Group B decider at the Stade de Marrakech brings together two neighbours who know each other too well and respect each other just enough. It is a winner-takes-all meeting, shaped by narrow margins, late goals, and the sense that something has been building quietly within this Zimbabwe side.
The Warriors arrived in Morocco as underdogs, bruised but unbroken by a painful last minute 2-1 defeat to Egypt.
They responded four days later by refusing to fold against Angola, fighting back from a first-half setback to secure a 1-1 draw that kept their campaign alive and, crucially, in their own hands.
Knowledge Musona’s goal on the stroke of half-time in that match did more than level the score. It steadied a team that had been rocked and reminded them that progress at this level is often earned through patience rather than panic.
With Egypt already through to the Round of 16, Group B remains delicately balanced. South Africa sit on three points, Zimbabwe and Angola on one apiece. Victory tomorrow lifts the Warriors above Bafana Bafana, while Angola can also finish on four points if they overcome Egypt. The mathematics are clear, but the emotions are anything but.
For Marian “Mario” Marinica, the task has been to shape belief without letting it run wild. The Romanian coach is still early into his tenure, learning his players as much as teaching them, but he believes the draw against Angola offered signs of growth.
“Like in the other match, we tried to tighten up a bit more defence and we tried to not concede goals in key moments, that is in the first part of the match, last part of the match, last part of the first-half, first part of the second-half.
“So this part we tried to manage better, which actually this time we did.
“And we even had a very good chance this time for us in the last minute.
“So that mentality we tried to switch, to change a bit more for the last match.
We are new in the sense that I have only about 34 days with the team, so not that much to be able to work.
“But at the same time, the players have responded very well,” said Marinica.
His message since then has been simple. Structure first, calm second, and sharper decisions where it matters most.
“And I think we need to have a bit more composure in front of goal and to try to take our chances a bit cleaner.
“I think we should concentrate more when in the final third and in front of goal.
“We have lost points, yes, but we are still in the competition with a chance to win the last game.
“I am quite confident that if we can be clinical, we stand a very good chance to win the last game and have a chance to progress.”
That belief is being reinforced off the pitch as well. Former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari has taken on an informal but influential role in camp as a Zifa ambassador, offering perspective shaped by experience at the highest level.
Mwaruwari knows what it means to navigate the tight corners of this tournament. He led Zimbabwe at Afcon in Egypt in 2006 and scored in the famous 2-1 win over Ghana in their final group match. His presence has brought a quiet authority to the dressing room.
“I think when we’re going to the next game, knowing that we still have a chance to qualify, I think it gives an extra edge and we’re all happy with this draw against Angola,” said Mwaruwari.
“But today I think we created more chances than Angola, which is positive for me, even if we didn’t capitalise on those chances. The more you create them, the more you create the chances to win the next game.
“South Africa can be beaten. We played them in the World Cup qualifiers when they were primed to win but we drew.
“That is what happens between us and South Africa. The better team on the day will win but we have a chance to win, certainly.”
There is also familiarity on Zimbabwe’s side. Several members of the squad understand the South African game intimately. Goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Daniel Msendami, Divine Lunga, Musona, and Teenage Hadebe have all played, or still play, in the South African league. They know the tempo, the tricks, and the traps.
Tomorrow will not be about history or rivalry alone. It will be about handling moments. A corner conceded late. A half chance that needs conviction. A decision under pressure.
For the Warriors, the path is finally clear. One more night, one open door, and a chance to step into a space Zimbabwean football has chased for years.
Bongani Ndlovu