Story by Lawrence Trusida,Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe national football team, the Warriors, are in Morocco, ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday, December 21.
The squad departed on Tuesday evening, making a scheduled stopover in Qatar before continuing to Casablanca, where final preparations and training sessions will be held ahead of their Group B opener against Egypt.
In a boost for the team’s preparations, Pan-African financial institution Ecobank has confirmed its sponsorship of the Warriors for the AFCON campaign, with plans to extend the partnership beyond the tournament.
“We need to make Zimbabwe known, respected, and feared. It is not about ticking boxes, it is about achievement. It is about standing on the same podium as Morocco, Egypt and Ghana, standing on the same podium as previous winners of this prestigious tournament. This partnership is not just about AFCON, it is a long-term commitment to supporting the Warriors, restoring structure to the national game, and creating an environment where fans can enjoy organised and competitive football,” Ecobank Senior Executive, Mike Dengwane said.
ZIFA has welcomed the sponsorship, highlighting the growing role of corporate support in revitalising Zimbabwean football.
“We are grateful for the tremendous support we are receiving from both government and the corporate sector. Ecobank’s backing is crucial not only for AFCON but for the long-term development of our national team,” said ZIFA vice president Loveness Mukura.
After years of mismanagement and chaos, Zimbabwean football is starting to attract sponsorship, especially at the national team level.
