Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
BOUYED by the exploits of such teams as Cape Verde at the just-ended 2026 World Cup, ZIFA have revealed their own audacious bid to help the Warriors qualify for the 2030 edition to be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi unveiled the “Dream’’ in which his leadership hopes to end the country’s decades-long wait for a maiden appearance at the World Cup.
Magwizi told guests at the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 draw that the association had already begun steps towards the Warriors’ World Cup journey.
“As Zimbabwe continues to rebuild its football, we do so with the belief that our game can become not only a source of national pride, but also a bridge to new partnerships, stronger international relationships, and greater opportunities for our people.
“No nation qualifies for a FIFA World Cup by accident. Qualification is earned long before the first whistle of a qualifying match.
“It is earned in academies, on school grounds, in coaching classrooms, in boardrooms, in communities, and through decisions that may seem small today but become defining tomorrow.
“That is why today we launch Dream 2030 — our dedicated national plan to qualify Zimbabwe for the FIFA World Cup.
“It is our commitment to building Zimbabwean football with purpose over the next four years so that qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2030 becomes an achievable national objective rather than a distant aspiration.
“Every successful project begins with a clear vision. Ours is built around three Strategic Drivers: Talent, Resources, and Culture.
“Together, these drivers will shape every decision, every investment and every programme undertaken between now and 2030,’’ Magwizi said.
He rallied the nation behind the dream, arguing that the quest for World Cup qualification was not just a ZIFA project, but a national cause, which required Government, corporate, community, and individual support.
Magwizi also noted that the BancABC Roots Impact programme and the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup were among the platforms that ZIFA would use for identifying and nurturing the talent that could make the World Cup dream a reality.
Cape Verde surprised many, including themselves with a fairytale debut campaign at the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, where they finished second in Group H behind eventual champions Spain after drawing all three matches: 0-0 against the Spaniards, 2-2 against Uruguay, and 0-0 against Saudi Arabia.
They also made history as the smallest nation to reach the knock-out stage before being eliminated by eventual runners-up Argentina following a hard-fought 3-2 extra time win for Lionel Messi and his South Americans.
CAF enlarge AFCON
Meanwhile, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will expand from 24 to 28 teams starting with the 2027 edition.
Next year’s AFCON, dubbed Pamoja, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania — the first time it’s staged in East Africa.
Speaking to the media in Johannesburg, South Africa, on a wide range of issues pertaining to the continental game on Wednesday, Motsepe confirmed that CAF have approved the expansion of Africa’s flagship football competition as part of efforts to increase participation and provide more opportunities for national teams across the continent.
Under the new structure, the 28 participating nations will be divided into seven groups of four teams each during the group stage.
The top two teams from each group will automatically progress to the knock-out stage, while the remaining places in the Round of 16 will be completed by the two best third-placed teams across all seven groups.
The adjustment represents another major change to the tournament format after CAF increased the number of participating teams from 16 to 24 ahead of the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
CAF believe the expansion will further enhance the competitiveness of the tournament while giving more countries the chance to compete on Africa’s biggest football stage.
Motsepe also reaffirmed CAF’s commitment to improving the quality, commercial value, and global appeal of African football, with preparations already underway for future editions of the competition.
While ZIFA are dreaming big on the World Cup qualification, Magwizi knows the association will have to use the next two Nations Cup editions to benchmark the Warriors’ readiness for the global stage.
Zimbabwe still have to overcome the unwanted record of failing to go beyond the group stage at all six Nations Cup tournaments they have been to.
There is both hope and huge expectation that the Warriors, who begin their bid for a place at the 2027 AFCON with an away assignment to Sierra Leone, will turn on the magic and secure a place at the Pamoja showcase.
The Warriors, who are expected to have a substantive coach in place by the time the qualification campaign starts, will be buoyed by the news that the expansion of the AFCON, widens the options to book their tickets to East Africa.
