adminyesterday, Zimbabwe are now ranked outside the top 30 playing nations within the Confederation of African Football.
Zimbabwe have accumulated 304 points during the period under review and remain outside the top 100 teams in the world as they occupy the 114th slot.
In 1994, Zimbabwe were among the top 40 teams in the world and dined with Africa’s best 10 during the era of the Dream Team under Reinhard Fabisch.
Last month Zimbabwe were 102nd in the world and 27th in Africa but following the two successive defeats in the qualifiers, the Warriors have fallen to their worst position in nearly two years.
Klaus Dieter Pagels’ troops lost their two matches as they fell to Egypt and Guinea in World Cup Group G African qualifiers.
Zimbabwe were hammered 4-2 by Egypt who were inspired by FC Basel winger Mohamed Salah during a match at the National Sports Stadium before they travelled with a depleted squad of only 14 players for a match against Guinea in Conakry last month.
Before playing the Pharaohs, the Warriors had travelled to Blantyre for an international friendly against Malawi that finished in a 1-1 stalemate in May.
But it seemed the Warriors have paid dearly for their poor showing in the World Cup qualifiers as they fell to their worst position in nearly two years.
Infact, Zimbabwe are just four places shy of their all-time worst record on the Fifa Coca Cola Ranking when they were placed 118th in November 2010.
Zimbabwe were ranked 32nd in Africa.
For now Zimbabwe could be compared to teams like Tahiti who were previously unknown to many people before the Fifa Confederation Cup in Brazil recently.
The Ocenia side, Tahiti are 147th in the world and more closer to the Warriors, than world champions Spain, who remain top of the table.
Next week, the Warriors will travel to Zambia for Cosafa Castle Cup Senior Challenge with pressure to redeem themselves.
German coach Pagels, is yet to win a competitive match that he has been in charge of the Warriors after coming second best on all three occasions.
Pagels side flattered on to deceive when they were narrowly edged by Egypt in Alexandria before the 4-2 destruction at the National Sports Stadium.
Warriors’ team manager Sharif Mussa said the squad is expected to assemble in Harare on Monday to start preparations for the Cosafa tournament.
Zimbabwe are the defending champions after winning the last edition of the Cosafa Cup they hosted in 2009.
“We are hoping all the players registered for the Cosafa Cup to come into camp on July 8.
“They should be training on July 9 and maybe part of July 10.
“From the last meeting, the team is supposed to travel on July 11 and then play their first match on July 13,” said Mussa.
Mussa, who will not be travelling to Zambia, said the coaches have not made any changes from the 20 players called last month.
“So far there has not been any changes but I do not know what will happen after this weekend’s round of games,” said Mussa.
Pagels has restricted his selection to, at most, two players per club so that the Premiership programme will not be disrupted.
Online Reporter