Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS vice-captain Marshall Munetsi has lifted the lid on what motivated Zimbabwe’s spirited performance against South Africa in their recent World Cup Qualifier and it all came down to remarks made by Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos.
Speaking on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified, Munetsi said the Warriors were fired up by what they perceived as disrespectful comments from the South African coach in the build-up to the clash.
“Firstly, with what the South African coach said, the comments that he made about us, I think it also really touched us as players, when he said he doesn’t really feel like Zimbabwe is a big team or we’re a threat,” Munetsi revealed.
“For him to make such comments, as soon as he said that, guys were calling each other, talking. It was a personal game in terms of what the coach said.
“Secondly, it was a derby.
“A lot of Zimbabweans would forgive us for losing against Lesotho, but they would never forgive us for losing against South Africa. That was the mindset.”
The Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder said the players drew extra motivation from Broos’ remarks, a tactic he’s seen used by other coaches during his career.
“A lot of coaches do that (motivate players on what the opposition is saying). I remember when we had coach Rulani (Mokwena at Orlando Pirates), he would do the same thing if a coach (made) a comment.
“In the meeting room or change room, he would put the same comment the coach said. Some of these things do play a part,” he added.
Broos had earlier downplayed Zimbabwe’s threat when announcing his 23-man squad for the qualifiers.
“Why should people start doubting after what we have achieved so far — the teams we have beaten and the good results we have recorded against top sides like Ivory Coast and Algeria?” Broos told SABC Sport.
“You start doubting now because of a tricky situation, yet we’re facing Zimbabwe and Rwanda — not Nigeria, Cameroon, or Egypt. These are good teams, yes, but not top teams. So why should we doubt?”
Munetsi, who began his professional career in South Africa with F.C. Cape Town in 2015 before moving to Orlando Pirates and later to French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims, has become one of Zimbabwe’s most influential footballers.
In 2023, he was appointed to the FIFPro Global Player Council and received the UNFP Citizen Player Trophy for his philanthropic work through the Marshall Munetsi Foundation.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has confirmed that the Warriors will play international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar next month as part of preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi, announced the fixtures at a press conference, noting that both opponents who have qualified for the 2026 Fifa World Cup will provide strong tests for the Warriors.
Details on venues and dates will be confirmed soon. The friendlies will be overseen by a new head coach following the dismissal of Michael Nees on Wednesday. While his replacement is yet to be named, assistant coach Kaitano Tembo, remains part of the technical setup.
Zifa also revealed plans for a 10-day training camp in December for locally-based players ahead of Afcon, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Zimbabwe are drawn in Group B alongside Egypt, South Africa and Angola. They open their campaign against Egypt on 22 December at the Grand Stade d’Agadir, followed by matches against Angola on 26 December and South Africa on 29 December, both in Marrakech.
