Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
THE Warriors’ road to Afcon 2027 will be anything but easy after Zimbabwe were thrown into a tricky Group E featuring regional heavyweights DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone, a draw that has already divided opinion among fans.
While some fans believe the group presents a stern examination for coach Kaitano Tembo’s men, others are convinced Zimbabwe have enough quality and improved preparations to secure qualification for the continental showpiece.
The qualifiers will see 12 groups battling for places at the 24-team finals set for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 10 to July 17 next year.
The top two teams from each group will qualify automatically, although the format has slightly changed because the three East African nations are co-hosts.
In the nine groups without a host nation, the top two teams will qualify directly. In groups featuring hosts, only the best-placed side outside Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will progress.
Despite Zimbabwe heading into the qualifiers as the lowest-ranked side in Group E, many supporters believe the Warriors are capable of upsetting the odds.
Warriors superfan Chris Romario Musekiwa described the draw as favourable and praised Zifa for improving preparations for the national team.
“It is a favourable draw. I believe we have really strong chances of qualifying. I would like to appreciate the efforts of the present Zifa leadership who have done a lot in terms of making sure the team gets adequate preparations.
“Recently the Warriors were in Botswana for the Four Nations competition and next week they will be in England where they will face quality opposition including Nigeria and Jamaica. These matches are important in helping the team grow,” said Musekiwa.
Another supporter, Marlvin Nkomo, believes the return of key senior players could prove decisive in Zimbabwe’s campaign.
“Yes, it looks like a tough group, but we now have the likes of Marshall Munetsi, Jordan Zemura and Tino Kadewere back in the squad and I believe that gives us the quality needed to compete with every team in the group though l feel DRC and Equtorial Guniea pose the bigger threats but l am optimistic,” he said.
Bukhosi Moyo also pointed to improved planning and organisation around the national team as a positive sign ahead of the qualifiers.
“We have always complained about poor preparations, but this time around Zifa seem to have improved in that regard with all the tournaments the team is taking part in. I think these matches will give coach Kaitano Tembo enough time to build a strong team,” said Moyo.
Football blogger Buhle Ncube believes Zimbabwe’s qualification hopes could largely depend on how they perform against Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.
“This is a tough but winnable group for the Warriors. Qualification is very much possible as long as we take every match seriously,” said Ncube.
“If we beat Sierra Leone home and away, collect at least four points against Equatorial Guinea and fight for points against DRC, who are favourites in the group, then we will have a good chance.”
Another fan, Temba Siziba, said rankings alone should not intimidate Zimbabwe.
“In this group we are the lowest-ranked team in Africa and in the world, but rankings mean nothing once the games start. If we manage to play our home games in Zimbabwe, then we will be a force to reckon with. The only team I really see as a major threat is DRC.”
The qualifiers will be played over three match windows from September 21 to October 6 and November 9-17 this year, and then March 22-30 next year. Two qualifying matches per team will be played in each window.
