Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Warriors have enjoyed mixed fortunes at the 42 500 seater Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, Cameroon.
It was at this arena where the Warriors, then under Norman Mapeza, recorded their only victory during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
After losing their opening two fixtures against Senegal and Malawi, Zimbabwe regrouped in the last round fixture and beat Guinea 2-1 on January 18, 2022, courtesy of goals by Knowledge Musona and Kuda Mahachi.
Although the win was not enough to secure qualification to the knock-out stage, as Zimbabwe finished bottom in Group B, it remains one of the most memorable Warriors victories on the international scene.
The Warriors returned to Yaounde on November 19, 2024, this time to face Cameroon in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
It ended 2-1 in favour of the Indomitable Lions who scored through Vincent Aboubakar and Georges N’koudou, while Zimbabwe got their consolation from Terrence Dzvukamanja.
Despite that defeat, Zimbabwe still managed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals held in Morocco.
The Warriors will be back in this familiar territory once again, when they face Equatorial Guinea in a 2027 TotalEnergies Group E AFCON qualifier at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Cameroon on November 12.
Equatorial Guinea no longer have a CAF-certified stadium despite hosting the Africa Cup of Nations finals 11 years ago.
The stadium issue came ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with the West African country also hosting their opening qualifier in Cameroon.
The confirmation of the venue ends speculation that the Nzalang Nacional had opted to host the Warriors in Harare to cut on logistical costs.
This is because they also play Zimbabwe at the National Sports Stadium four days later.
Hosting Zimbabwe in Harare would have given the Warriors an advantage, so the match has now been moved to a neutral venue in Cameroon.
The Zimbabwe Football Association on Wednesday confirmed the times for the back-to-back clashes.
The first match will kick off at 6PM, with the reverse fixture set for the National Sports at 3PM
The Warriors head into the third round of qualifiers sitting second in Group E. Zimbabwe opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone in Morocco before suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Harare.
The back-to-back fixtures against Equatorial Guinea present Zimbabwe with an opportunity to collect valuable points as they push for qualification for the continental show-piece.
The Warriors confirmed fixtures will make planning easier for both the Zimbabwe Football Association and the national team coach Ramon Catala.
After the defeat to DR Congo, the Spanish coach is expected to make a few changes to the list he calls up for this game.
To his advantage, players who were not fully fit or ill when the Warriors played DRC, Watford’s Jordan Zemura and Mamelodi Sundowns left back Divine Lunga, now seem ready for any challenge.
Wolves forward Tawanda Chirewa is also beginning to play a big role in the Championship, and he was recently on target for his club.
Marshal Munetsi, who scored three goals in the last two AFCON qualifiers for the Warriors, has also been key player for Wolves.
Locally, both Hardrcok players Prince Dube and Washington Navaya seem fit enough to play a role if called for duty.
On Sunday, Catala was at the National Sports Stadium watching Scottland’s 2-0 win over Petro de Luanda, with the brilliance of veterans Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat in full display. It will be interesting to see what the Warriors coach decides.
