Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S countdown to the AFCON 2025 tournament has been spiced with a renewed sense of optimism, with vice-captain Godknows Murwira rallying the country behind the Warriors’ cause ahead of kick-off of the tournament.
Murwira, who will deputise skipper Marvellous Nakamba at the tournament beginning on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco, feels he is motivated to step into the big shoes following the unavailability of midfielder Marshall Munetsi through injury.
“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 acclimatising to the December Mediterranean winter before their Group B opener against continental heavyweights Egypt in Agadir on Monday. Zimbabwe will also face Angola on Boxing Day and neighbours South Africa three days later to complete the group fixtures. Murwira has already assumed leadership duties in the camp, which also has senior players like veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Teenage Hadebe, Divine Lunga, Gerald Takwara and former captain Knowledge Musona.
He is convinced the Warriors have good chances of qualifying from the group stages for the first time in history.
Zimbabwe have failed to scale the group stage hurdle in the 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,” said Murwira.
“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 that are 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 Scottland defender is returning to the AFCON finals for the second time, having been part of the Warriors cast at the 2021 edition in Cameroon, where he featured once in the 2-1 victory over Guinea in the last group game.
He will be hoping for more playing opportunities this time around.
The Warriors, who are camping in Marrakech, and are scheduled to begin their campaign against Egypt on Monday at the 45 000-seater Grand Stade d’Agadir in the coastal city of Agadir, about 250 km away from their base. They will return to Marrakech for the games against Angola on Boxing Day at the Grand Stade de Marrakech and the Battle of Limpopo derby showdown against South Africa on December 29, again at Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Zimbabwe are one of the minnows at the tournament, with a 0.26 percent chance of winning the tournament contested by 24 African teams, according to predictions by reputable football analytics company Opta .
The Warriors are ranked second-to-last, after neighbours Botswana’s 0.12 percent.
Hosts Morocco have the highest percentage chance of winning the tournament with a 19.16 percent while Zimbabwe’s opening match opponents Egypt are second at 12.75 percent. The Pharaohs, however, have not won the tournament ever since they sealed the record seventh title in Angola in 2010.
But for the Warriors, the focus now is to figure out a way past the group stages.
The top two teams from each of the six groups get a direct qualification to the round of 16 knock-out stage and will be joined by the three best third-place finishers.
“Being the underdog in the group means we are starting from somewhere,” Murwira said.
“Everyone has been an underdog at some point, and I believe this is the opportunity to demonstrate what we are capable of.”
