Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JORDAN ZEMURA believes the Warriors can push aside Benin when they face the West Africans in the 2026 World Cup qualifier if they carry the right mentality into the match.
The Group C Match-day seven football showdown at the Stade Alassane Ouattara stadium, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire kicks-off at 6pm (local time) today.
Zimbabwe still have a chance, however slim, to win the pool and snatch a maiden ticket to the global showcase set to be co-hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico next year.
They are sitting at the base of Group C with four points, nine behind leaders South Africa after six games.
German coach Michael Nees is the third man to take charge of the Warriors in this campaign.
They started the marathon under the guidance Baltemar Brito, who presided over two games before the team was handed to Jairos Tapera who also oversaw as many games.
None of the duo registered wins.
Nees has also taken charge of two World Cup qualifiers so far but the common denominator among the three coaches is that a win has remained elusive for the Warriors.
Just like the Warriors themselves, Benin do not have a home of their own, and are hosting their games in Cote d’Ivoire.
And Zemura, who plies his trade with Udinese in Italy, is hoping the Warriors will troop in with a strong mentality to get the points on the board.
“We haven’t been winning but we have been learning a lot. I am very happy that most of the guys who started the campaign are still around and the system is getting stronger with each game,” said Zemura.
“But I believe it’s high time we get our act together and start winning these games. We are in a difficult situation, of course but we should show that we are the Warriors.
“I think what we need right now is a strong mentality. We have a game, a big game before us against one of the strongest teams in our group and we should also carry a big mentality into the game.
“I am excited to see a lot of guys displaying the right attitude going into this game. This is what we want and I am confident we will be able to play well and win the match as well.
“This is what we are here for. We need to stitch together these wins. We deserve better than being at the base of the table. We are really raring to go.”
Zemura has started the Italian Serie A season explosively and he is hoping to carry the same form into today’s encounter.
“It’s always good to put up a polished show. Ultimately, helping the team win the game is the priority. I am eager to play well and see everyone play well also,” he added.
“That’s how we can get to win the match, I think. At the end of the day what we want to see is a win on the scoreboard. We have trained well and we are all in good spirits and I think we will fight and get the win.”
After tonight’s match, the Warriors will fly straight to South Africa where they host Rwanda in Match-day eight of the same qualifiers. But, while they also want to win that match, it’s not what they are thinking about at the moment.
Their coach Nees is happy with the levels of confidence among his charges.
“We are progressing and getting more and more confident. I expect the players to give their best tomorrow (today), Nees said.
“We can be confident so far everything is on track. We are missing three regular starters. For Benin it’s also a very important game. They will take this match very seriously.
“It’s going to be a very tough encounter. But we will have a good team on the pitch, so don’t worry.
“We have three brand new faces in the camp (Tivonge Rushesha, Prosper Padera and Thando Ngwenya).
“So far it looks really promising in terms of quality. We, will field the best possible squad in the game.”
On their part Benin will look to secure their first win in 2025. Benin, who have never qualified for the World Cup, lost ground to move to the top of the table after suffering a 2-0 defeat against South Africa in March.
Rwanda are occupying second spot with eight points, the same as the Cheetahs, but they have a slightly better goal difference.
There are still many games to be played, and therefore, the Squirrels must not lose hope of automatic qualification yet, as a few results here and there could work in their favour, provided they continue to win their matches.
In the previous meeting between the two sides, Benin managed a 2-2 draw away from home, and Gernot Rohr’s side were left frustrated as they squandered a 2-0 lead.
Having failed to pick up a win in 2025, it will come as a massive blow to their direct qualification hopes if they drop points against Zimbabwe, who could re-enter contention with two strong results this month.
Like Benin, their opponents have also never qualified for the World Cup finals, and they face an uphill task from here even to finish second.
If the Warriors can produce a stubborn display and pick up wins against both Benin and Rwanda, the table will look completely different.
The Warriors will face South Africa and Lesotho next month and they could play a vital role in the next four games in determining the eventual winner from the group, even if they can pick up a few wins.
Rohr has named a strong squad for the two upcoming games, and all eyes will be on Steve Mounie, who has scored three goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Mounie also registered two goals in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification assignments, while Andreas Hountondji has also scored the same number of goals in the same competition.
