Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Warriors have been urged to rise to the occasion and fight for the national badge after being drawn in a fair Group E of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers alongside World Cup-bound Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe delivered the rallying call yesterday, moments after the draw, as he addressed players and officials at a send-off dinner for the locally-based Warriors, who are scheduled to leave for the United Kingdom today for the Unity Cup tournament in London, scheduled for May 26-30.
The four-nation event, which also features Nigeria, Jamaica and India, is expected to provide crucial preparation ahead of the AFCON qualifiers, which begin in September.
Zimbabwe are under interim coach Kaitano Tembo. They will be looking to maximise the opportunity, and Sanyatwe stressed the importance of treating the tournament with utmost seriousness.
“This tournament presents more than an opportunity to compete. It is a stage upon which you must demonstrate the character, resilience and determination of the Zimbabwean people,” said Sanyatwe.
“I wish to challenge the Zimbabwean Football Association to utilise this tournament strategically as a foundation for future success.
“The Unity Cup must not simply be viewed as an isolated competition but as an important building block towards successful qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations campaign and, ultimately, the FIFA World Cup.
“Exposure to high-level international competition is critical in building team cohesion, technical maturity, confidence and a winning mentality.
“Failures and losing are not an option for Zimbabwe,” said Sanyatwe.
The Warriors delegation, represented by assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi, captain Marvelous Nakamba, newcomers Mongameli Tshuma and Aboubakar Moffat, and head of delegation and ZIFA board member Brighton Ushendibaba, were presented with the national flag by the Minister as a symbol of the hopes of millions at home and abroad.
Zimbabwe open their Unity Cup campaign against defending champions Nigeria on May 26, while Jamaica face India in the second semi-final the following day.
The tournament concludes with a third-place play-off on May 29 and the final on May 30.
“You carry with you the aspirations of millions of our citizens here at home and across the diaspora. The badge on your chest represents the hope of young boys and girls who dream of one day wearing national colours,” Sanyatwe said.
“It represents communities that live with unified power of football. It represents a proud nation that continues to rise with confidence and endeavour.
“I therefore urge you to represent Zimbabwe with immense pride, discipline and patriotism. Play with courage, unity and passion. Let your conduct on and off the field reflect the dignity of our nation.
“The world must see in you, the values of hard work, humility, professionalism and excellency that defines the Zimbabwean spirit,” the Minister said. ZIFA have named a strong squad for the Unity Cup, dominated by foreign-based players. The Warriors are boosted by the return of vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, while experienced internationals Tino Kadewere, Jordan Zemura, Tawanda Chirewa and Scotland-based forward Tawanda Maswanhise are also back in the fold.
Nakamba upbeat about Warriors chances
Skipper Nakamba, who also attended yesterday’s function in Harare, believes the tournament will play a key role in preparations for the AFCON qualifiers. The midfielder feels the Warriors have bright chances of qualifying for the next AFCON finals. Zimbabwe, chasing a seventh appearance at the continental show-piece, have to navigate its way in a group that has been described as fair after drawing DRC, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone.
The draw was conducted in Cairo yesterday, with 48 teams set to compete for the available 24 slots.
“I think it’s a good group, and also I think we just have to focus on ourselves. I think also now in Africa each and every team have got their own qualities.
“So, it’s a group where we just have to focus on ourselves to give everything,” said Nakamba.
Zimbabwe have qualified for six AFCON finals, including the last edition in Morocco last year. Nakamba believes in the quality of the team.
“I think we’ve got a good squad, and also looking at the squad that is there now, some good players have come back and I think we are one.
“We are Zimbabweans, and for us as players, we keep on communicating, it’s good for us to continue and give everything for the country,” Nakamba said. According to the draw yesterday, 12 groups with four teams each were created ahead of the start of the qualifying marathon set to begin in September. The qualifiers will be played across three FIFA International match calendar windows, with the first two matches expected between September 21 to October 6.
This will be followed by two more rounds of matches from November 9 to 17. The final round of fixtures will be played from March 22 to 30 next year.
The top two teams from each group at the end of the qualifying campaign will proceed to next year’s finals from June 19 to July 17 in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
As the bottom-seeded team because of the poor world rankings, Zimbabwe are the ultimate underdogs. DRC, who are one of the 10 African teams that will play at the 2026 World Cup in Mexico and US, were the top-seeded side in the group.
But Nakamba drew inspiration from the 2019 AFCON qualifiers when the Warriors claimed four points from the Leopards on their way to the finals held in Egypt.
Zimbabwe stunned DRC 2-1 in Kinshasa, courtesy of goals from Knowledge Musona and Ronald Pfumbidzai, before drawing 1-1 in the reverse fixture in Harare.
“I think for me personally I’ve played against DRC, and also there are a few players who play abroad that I’ve played against on the international level.
“We won one time in the DRC after a long time, and also we’ve played against them here, and we’ve played against them at AFCON.
“So, we just have to keep on focussing on ourselves to try and improve, to try and give everything. “Of course, we give respect to the opponents, but in the field, we just have to use our qualities. I think we have a decent team, and also now I think lots of players were injured, but now they are back. So, I think we have quite a good chance,” said Nakamba.
The Warriors skipper also praised ZIFA for arranging the team’s participation in the four-tournament Unity Cup in London next week. “Credit to ZIFA for giving us some friendly games,” he said.
“Utilising the international breaks, I think it helps the team to keep on going.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa