AFCON 2025: Warriors storm Orlando Stadium in Namibia showdown

MICHAEL KARIATI

The Zimbabwe Warriors will today face off against Namibia’s Brave Warriors in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Namibia were forced to move their home games to neighbouring South Africa due to their stadia in Windhoek not being  approved  for AFCON and World Cup qualifiers .

The similar issue is being faced by Zimbabwe.

Warriors coach Michael Nees must deal with his team’s deficiency in offensive production because they haven’t scored a goal since his arrival.
After their FIFA exile was overturned last year, the Warriors have had a mixed record in their comeback to international football. They will go into this game hoping to avoid going into another straight game without winning.

“We have been focusing more on how to get the goals. We need to score as many as we can. More importantly, we need to win and I am happy with the attitude of the players,” Nees said.

Cameroon and Kenya lead Group J with four points  each while the Warriors are in third place with two points and Namibia are  rooted at the bottom of the table without a point.

As a result, the Brave Warriors will need to avoid defeat in all of their remaining matches.

Two teams from the group qualify for the AFCON 2025 finals.

Sadly, Nees will have to do without Tino Kadewere of Nantes in France and Tawanda Chirewa of Derby County in the English Championship who are out injured.

He, however, still has the arsenal to do damage as he can still call upon Tawanda Masvanhise of Motherwell in Scotland, Terence Dzvukamanja of Supersport in South Africa and Khama Billiart of Yadah in Zimbabwe for goals.

There is extra striking cover in the form of Walter Musona of Simba Bhora, Daniel Msendami of Marumo Gallants  and Prince Dube of Young Africans.

The midfield, which is expected to be led by Marshall Munetsi and the happy-to-be-back Marvelous Nakamba, is in good shape.

“It feels good to be back with the team. I would be happier to help the team win and get the six points we so need,” said Nakamba.

The defence has not conceded a goal in AFCON 2025 and it would be good to stay so against a team which has lost all it’s matches to Cameroon and Kenya.

Washington Arubi is a sure bet for that goalkeeping position with Jordan Zemura, Brendan Galloway, Godknows Murwira and probably Teenage Hadebe or Munashe Garanganga filling the other places.

Today’s match is being played behind closed doors but fans will be allowed into the stadium when the two teams meet again on Monday with Zimbabwe being the hosts.

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