Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Warriors have enjoyed mixed fortunes at the 42 500-seater Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, Cameroon, where they will return next month for a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Equatorial Guinea.
It was at this venue that the Warriors, then coached by Norman Mapeza, registered their only victory at the 2021 Afcon finals.
After losing their opening two Group B matches against Senegal and Malawi, Zimbabwe regrouped to beat Guinea 2-1 in their final group fixture on January 18, 2022, courtesy of goals from
Knowledge Musona and Kudakwashe Mahachi.
Although the victory was insufficient to secure progression to the knockout stage, with Zimbabwe finishing bottom of the group, it remains one of the team’s memorable performances on the international stage.
The Warriors returned to Yaounde on November 19, 2024, to face Cameroon in a 2025 Afcon qualifier, but suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Indomitable Lions.
Vincent Aboubakar and Georges-Kévin N’Koudou scored for the hosts, while Terrence Dzvukamanja grabbed Zimbabwe’s consolation goal.
Despite the defeat, the Warriors secured qualification for the 2025 Afcon finals in Morocco.
Zimbabwe will return to familiar territory on November 12 when they face Equatorial Guinea in a 2027 TotalEnergies Afcon Group E qualifier at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo.
Equatorial Guinea have been forced to play their home qualifiers away from home after failing to secure a Confederation of African Football-certified stadium, despite hosting the continental finals in 2015.
The stadium issue has seen the Nzalang Nacional take their opening qualifier in the current campaign to Cameroon, with the venue for their encounter against Zimbabwe now confirmed.
The confirmation ends speculation that Equatorial Guinea could host the Warriors in Harare to reduce logistical costs, particularly as the two teams are scheduled to meet again at the National
Sports Stadium four days later.
Playing both matches in Zimbabwe would have given the Warriors a significant home advantage, but the first leg will now take place at a neutral venue in Cameroon.
The Zimbabwe Football Association on Wednesday confirmed the kick-off times for the two encounters, with the first match scheduled for 6 PM before the return fixture gets under way at the
National Sports Stadium at 3 PM.
The Warriors enter the third round of qualifiers sitting second in Group E, having opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone in Morocco before suffering a 2-1 home defeat to the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
The back-to-back encounters against Equatorial Guinea offer Zimbabwe an important opportunity to collect valuable points and strengthen their bid to qualify for the 2027 continental showpiece.
Confirmation of the fixtures also gives Zifa and head coach Ramon Catala greater certainty as they prepare for two decisive assignments within four days.
Following the defeat to the DRC, Catala is expected to make changes to his squad, with the possible return of players who were unavailable or not fully fit for the previous match providing a timely boost.
Watford defender Jordan Zemura and Mamelodi Sundowns left-back Divine Lunga appear to be better placed to feature, while Wolves forward Tawanda Chirewa is increasingly making his presence felt in the Championship and recently found the back of the net for his club.
Wolves midfielder Marshall Munetsi, who scored three goals in the Warriors’ last two Afcon qualifiers, also remains an important figure as Zimbabwe seek to improve their attacking threat.
On the domestic front, Hardrock players Prince Dube and Washington Navaya appear fit enough to contribute if selected.
Catala was at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday to watch Scottland beat Petro de Luanda 2-0, with veteran forwards Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat showcasing their quality.
Their performances will provide the coach with further food for thought as he weighs his options ahead of the double-header, with squad selection likely to be crucial to Zimbabwe’s hopes of securing positive results in both encounters.
