Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi and Blessing Malinganiza
ZIMBABWE national football team captain Marvellous Nakamba says the Warriors will not travel as tourists to Morocco where they hope to launch a brave fight in the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Warriors, who have been training in Harare for the past two weeks, are set to leave for Morocco later in the day, as they look to make a difference on their sixth appearance at the continental football jamboree.
Zimbabwe have been at the AFCON five times, but have not gone past the group stage since their debut in 2004.
But, buoyed by the support from the Government which has availed resources for the campaign, skipper Nakamba feels it is time the Warriors repaid the faith invested in them by the people of Zimbabwe.
“On behalf of the Warriors, I would like to say to our Government, thank you for recognising sport as a tool for unity, pride, and opportunity,” Nakamba said.
“To ZIFA, we acknowledge the renewed effort to build a progressive and competitive football environment. To our sponsors, your investment fuels our preparations and strengthens our belief.
“And to the people of Zimbabwe, your passion is our motivation. You are the reason we fight. As players, we understand the responsibility we carry.
“We go to Morocco with humility, discipline and determination. We are not travelling as tourists. We are travelling as competitors.”
Zimbabwe are in Group B along with COSAFA rivals South Africa and Angola, as well as seven-time African champions Egypt.
On paper, the Warriors are not expected to find it easy in this group but they are still hoping to beat the long-standing group stage jinx.
ZIFA have confidence in their new coach, Marian “Super Mario” Marinica, who achieved the feat when he sent Malawi through to the last 16 for the first time at the 2021 AFCON finals staged in Cameroon.
The AFCON 2025 tournament will kick-off this coming Sunday in Morocco and run until January 18, across nine stadiums dotted in six host cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fes and Tangier.
The Warriors, who will be based in Marrakech, are scheduled to begin their campaign against Egypt next Monday at the 45 000-seater Grand Stade d’Agadir in the coastal city of Agadir, about 250 km away from their base.
They will return to Marrakech for the games against Angola on Boxing Day at the Grand Stade de Marrakech and the Battle of the Limpopo Derby against South Africa on December 29, again at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
“We will respect every opponent, but we will not fear anyone,” Nakamba said.
“We cannot promise goals, but we can promise we will fight. We can promise sweat. We can promise unity. We will give everything for the badge and for the flag that raised us . . . We carry your hopes to Morocco, and we aim to make the nation proud.”
The top two teams from the six groups qualify directly to the last 16 and will be joined by the four best third-placed teams in the knock-out round.
Warriors defender Teenage Hadebe, who has featured in the three previous AFCON tournaments for Zimbabwe, believes the team has the right personnel to break the group stage jinx.
“I am honoured to represent Zimbabwe on Africa’s biggest stage,” Hadebe told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“I urge our fans to back us at stadiums or from home, we need the nation’s full support to thrive in Morocco. I am confident that the team is eager to go and we are all pumped up ahead of our travelling.”
Hadebe believes the top-quality opposition they are set to face in the group present a positive challenge for their careers.
“Against Egypt, Angola and South Africa ahead, we will play with heart, passion, and dignity for ourselves and the rest of Zimbabweans. We are not intimidated as a team and that will give us ground to breed success.”
Hadebe believes the availability of captain Nakamba and other senior players like Knowledge Musona, Divine Lunga and Washington Arubi is a major boost to the squad.
“Captain Nakamba’s humility inspires me. With veterans like Musona, Lunga and Arubi, we will blend experience and youth. So, if you look at the squad, there is enough balance and talent that can make things work for the better and for us to attain our targets,” Hadebe said.
As the Warriors prepared for departure, ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi yesterday formally presented President Mnangagwa with replicas of the Warriors jersey branded “Mnangagwa 1”.
The association said in a brief statement, “the gesture underscores the Head of State’s role as the Warriors’ number one supporter, reinforcing the bond between the nation’s highest office and its most cherished football symbol.”
Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Emily Jesaya, who will lead the government delegation in Morocco, urged the Warriors to punch above their weight, for the sake of the 16 million Zimbabweans behind them.
“I am personally very happy and excited to be going to Morocco as the leader of Government delegation and to be with you all as you begin your journey in these important games.
“It is a moment I cherish, knowing that I will be right there supporting you every step of the way. As our team prepares to compete in the group stages against Egypt, Angola and South Africa, I want to remind them that they carry the hopes, dreams and best wishes of an entire nation,” Minister Jesaya said.
