THERE is a lot of optimism surrounding the Zimbabwe men's football team following their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) set to take place in Morocco.
It's a feat which was attained barely a year and a half after the Fifa ban was lifted and The Warriors just needed one attempt to be back at the continental championship.
However, the country’s football fortunes changed suddenly following the appointment of German coach Michael Nees as The Warriors coach but by the he assumed the reins, the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign had gone off the rails.
Nees will be looking to revive the country’s World Cup hopes when the team takes on Benin and Nigeria later this month.
Zimbabwe anchor the standings with just two points from four matches and five behind joint leaders Rwanda, South Africa and Benin who have seven each.
While Nees has been on record several times declaring that Zimbabwe still has a chance of making it to the World Cup, albeit small, he has to move mountains to ensure the team challenges for the solitary ticket in Group C which includes Lesotho.
It is prudent for Nees to abandon the fight for the World Cup ticket and use the remaining six matches to build a strong team for Afcon.
Zimbabwe needs to create a bigger pool of players competing for places in The Warriors squad by giving young players a chance.
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Nees may need to overlook Marshall Munetsi as he cements his place at his new English Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as goalkeeper Washington Arubi, defender Teenage Hadebe, Gerald Takwara and Walter Musona, among other seasoned players.
This is the time to give players like Liverpool’s Isaac Mabaya, Norwich City’s Lucien Mahovo, Trey Nyoni (Liverpool) and Tivonge Rushesha a chance if they have the requisite papers.
Closer to home there are young players like Nokutenda Mangezi who turns out for Supersport in South Africa, Tinotenda Muringai based in Mozambique and locally-based players such as Mthokozisi Msebe, Takunda Benhura, Michael Tapera, McKinnon Mushore and Isheanesu Mauchi, among other budding star.
This is the opportune time for players like goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva to finally make their Warriors debut, having been part of the squad setup for a while now.
Nees has show genuine interest in local football and has attended most football matches meaning he is conversant with local talent that deserves a chance.
The only problem is that the local league has just begun hence most local players may be experiencing fitness challenges.
Without a home ground, it is almost impossible for The Warriors to win their remaining six World Cup qualifiers unless a miracle happens.
For the match against Benin on March 17, The Warriors will use Moses Mabida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, before travelling to West Africa to face African giants Nigeria, a week later.
Wisdom bids Nees to use the opportunity to build a strong team for the future so that when the next qualification cycle comes, Zimbabwe will be competitive and hopefully a suitable stadium will be available for the boys to enjoy home advantage.
