Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in DURBAN, South Africa
THERE are no two ways for Zimbabwe Warriors.
They just have to knuckle down a win against Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium this evening to kick-start a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. The match kicks-off at 6pm.
Zimbabwe are without a win after four Match-Days in a race from which only the group winners get automatic qualification.
Yet the odds are heavily against the Warriors who have not won a single World Cup qualifier since 2019.
This has left them trailing trio of joint leaders Rwanda, South Africa and Benin who are tied on seven points while the Warriors have two.
While on paper a five-point might not appear to be too big a gap, it remains a mammoth task for the Warriors, who can ill-afford another slip-up starting with tonight’s match against the Cheetahs.
But the Warriors have been a revitalised lot from the side that started the campaign with two games staged in Rwanda and as many in South Africa.
They have a new coach Michael Nees whose pedigree shone in the manner he guided the Warriors to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations within three months of his appointment last year. Nees has taken some bold steps, bringing back former captain Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat from international retirement.
He also plucked forgotten veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi from obscurity to provide the experience in the youthful squad.
And Nees has every reason to be confident ahead of the Benin showdown especially after observing his group engaging in different competitive recreational games as they prepared for today’s tie.
“I was not here the last time out (when the World Cup qualifiers started). I came in August. I think Zimbabwe haven’t played to their full potential but I think since August, we have performed well.
“We have found our way as a group. It’s not only about quality. I think there is also some good atmosphere in the camp,” said Nees.
“We have different groups of course, others want to play cards and others table tennis, but we have really good harmony in the team. They want to be competitive. I think that’s one of our strengths, the character you know. I am fortunate to be in charge of this group.
“We are restarting the World Cup campaign which was interrupted by the AFCON qualifiers.
“Four games have already been played in that (World Cup) qualification before my time and we have six games remaining. Every match counts. We have 18 points to play for.
“It’s very clear, if you want to get closer, we need to have a positive result against Benin. And then, I think the impression so far, we can be confident and positive going into this match without being overconfident, with focus and concentration. And I think if we bring our best into the match, we can be successful. It’s very simple. We have to throw in the best possible plan to get a win and reduce the gap. A draw wouldn’t really help a lot.”
The German gaffer, who is becoming popular by the day due to his detailed approach to the game said the Warriors need to stay alert for the entire 90 minutes if they are to get a result against the Les Guépards (The Cheetahs).
“I understand we have to respect our opponent and you cannot just fall in a trap, being overexcited and being over-motivated in defence and going forward. It’s a football match, it’s a fight. It would be a tough game. Benin are normally very tight,” added Nees.
“They are a competitive team. There are no doubts it will be a competitive match until the end.
“I accept the challenge. They have an experienced coach who I have known personally for 30 years. So, I know his mentality if I may say. His mentality, where he comes from, that’s a small advantage.”
The team has enjoyed loads of support in South Africa with Zimbabweans based in Durban eager to see them succeed.
South Africa-based Zimbabwean repatriation company Zororo-Phumulani hasn’t disappointed with the Warriors all-weather partners providing seamless logistical support for the team.
So meticulous have they been in ensuring that everything is in place for the squad with the Group chief executive officer Oliver Mufudze and finance manager Munyaradzi Chirowodza travelling all the way from Johannesburg just to ensure everything is flawless.
Men’s Wear specialists, 4 May have also come handy in adding more confidence in the Warriors’ looks by providing them with formal wear.
Stand-in-captain Marshal Munetsi hailed the support which he says will propel them to work even harder as they seek to bring the World Cup campaign back on track.
“I think we have been on a rebuilding exercise especially in the first World Cup qualifying phase.
“But it’s different now. We have good, young, talented players who are coming up the ranks. I think for us, it’s not an easy game, but we do have to take it as a final, because if we don’t get a good result tomorrow (today), then it might be difficult for us to continue with our campaign.
“We have young players playing in Europe and we have a different advantage. We have a coach who believes in us and gives us a platform to express ourselves. The group we had in the AFCON, we were facing Cameroon and Kenya but we managed to do well.
“We are looking at it as a group. It’s not about how you start, but it’s about how you finish. It’s an opportunity for us to also go down as the first group to qualify for a World Cup. That’s our motivation.”
The match will be officiated by Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema Weyissa who will be assisted by Tigile Gizaw Belachew and Temesgen Samuel Atango respectively. Their compatriot Haileyesus Bazezew Belete is the fourth official.
And the coming in of Musona seems to have caused Nees to twerk his team a little bit.
Warriors Probable XI
Washington Arubi, Munashe Garan’anga, Gerald Takwara, Peter Muduhwa, Jordan Zemura, Divine Lunga, Andy Rinomhota, Marshall Munetsi, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Prince Dube.
