Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MICHAEL NEES says Zimbabweans need to be realistic as he seeks to guide the Warriors to their first win of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda today.
The Group C tie takes place at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Warriors are already out of the reckoning for a place at next year’s World Cup to be co-hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada after failing to win any of their last seven Group matches.
They anchor the six-team log with only four points and will be seeking to save face by winning the last three games of this campaign, starting with the showdown against Rwanda.
While the nation is disappointed, especially after the team’s latest 1-0 defeat to Benin, Nees was left ranting saying:
“Let’s pull together in one direction towards positivity. We should stop this scapegoat ritual and bad mouthing of individuals.
“It’s not a country which has won the African Cup of Nations three times.
“Let’s be positive. It’s not that easy business, yes, we must go through realism where we are coming from and pull together in one direction towards a positive aspect.
“We have to get somewhere, we have the talent. We are good, but only if we pull in one direction. Yes we lost to Benin 1-0 and they can go to the World Cup.”
Nees said the 2026 World Cup qualification, which he inherited from two other coaches, was always a double project.
“This has always been a two-pronged project. We were chasing a World Cup appearance and also preparing for the AFCON.
“So, the AFCON is what is now there for us. We want to beat Rwanda tomorrow (today).
“We must be fair competitors because others are still there with a chance as well. So we must provide fair competition.”
With captain Marvelous Nakamba, Divine Lunga and Teenage Hadebe all suspended, Nees will name a new-look team with youngsters like Thando Ngwenya and Prosper Padera set to start.
Gerald Takwara is likely to step in at centre-back to partner Munashe Garananga especially after Brendon Galloway sat out training together with Tino Kadewere.
Warriors Probable XI
Elvis Chipezeze, Emmanuel Jalai, Jordan Zemura, Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Prosper Padera, Marshall Munetsi, Knowledge Musona, Tawanda Chirewa, Tawanda Maswanhise, Thando Ngwenya
