Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S national football faces a dual challenge: Warriors coach Michael Nees will use Morocco friendlies against Burkina Faso and Niger to assess players for 2025 AFCON, while a young squad simultaneously kicks off its COSAFA Cup campaign in South Africa today, all part of ZIFA’s strategy to expand the national talent pool.
The senior squad is currently based in Casablanca, where they will face Burkina Faso on Friday and Niger next Tuesday.
With a number of regulars unavailable, Nees plans to give valuable minutes to players returning from injury or seeking to stake a claim, including Belgium-based winger Bill Antonio, Nantes forward Tino Kadewere, and goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
“In terms of team development, we want to integrate these new players. We basically will have to play with a completely new midfield because all the players who usually play or start in the midfield are out,” Nees said.
Antonio, now at K.V. Mechelen, is yet to feature under Nees due to injury but is being closely assessed.
“He is a versatile player, a real winger and a very dynamic one, and I think we will be very keen to see how he will fit into our way of playing.
“The last time he was with the Warriors was long before my time,” said Nees.
Also under evaluation are midfielder Jonah Fabisch, Highlanders’ Mason Mushore—called in to replace the injured Richard Hachiro—and SuperSport United striker Terrence Dzvukamanja, who steps in for the sidelined Prince Dube.
“We have some players who came back from a long injury as well, like Tino [Kadewere] or even Bill Antonio. Although [Antonio] is already playing, he has not yet been having 90-minute games,” said Nees.
The coach confirmed that most of the Morocco-based squad will see action during the friendlies, which serve as a litmus test for potential AFCON selection. The tournament is scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.
“We want to give as many players as possible game time in these two friendlies. The mood looks to be really good, and we want to see how the new faces gel in and how we can assemble, very quickly, a competitive team,” said Nees.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s COSAFA Cup journey begins tonight with a Group A opener against Mauritius. Kick-off is at 6 PM local time.
With the senior team tied up in North Africa, ZIFA has fielded a predominantly home-based squad for the regional tournament. The team is coached by junior national team boss Simon Marange, with former Warriors winger Joel Luphahla assisting.
Zimbabwe boasts a proud COSAFA Cup history, having lifted the trophy six times, most recently in 2018 under Sunday Chidzambwa. They remain unbeaten against all three of their Group A rivals: South Africa, Mozambique, and Mauritius.
However, their recent showings have lacked spark. Zimbabwe failed to advance beyond the group stage in 2021 and have since sent understrength teams to the competition.
Still, there is cautious optimism that this new generation of locally based talent can step up and make an impression.
For Nees and his technical team, though, the bigger picture remains front of mind.
“We need to assemble very quickly and get a certain harmony. But we also want to look ahead, and these friendlies give us the opportunity to build the foundation we need for AFCON,” said Nees.
