Story by Anashe Murombedzi
The Zimbabwe men’s football team, the Warriors will face seven time champions Egypt and two Southern African opponents in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set for Morocco in December.
The Warriors will be making their sixth appearance at the continental showpiece, but face a daunting task in the group stages after being drawn in Group B that features giants Egypt, neighbours South Africa and another Southern African opponent Angola.
Zimbabwe have faced Egypt before including during their maiden appearance at the AFCON 2004, when they lost 2-1 in Tunisia.
The Warriors also face South Africa, with the teams in the same group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
There are six groups with four teams each and two top teams from each group will automatically qualify for the knockout stage, while four best third placed teams will also advance to the round of 16.
Warriors coach, Michael Nees and his charges will need to be at their best to navigate a tricky group and advance to the knockout stages.
Newly elected ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi attended the draw together with Nees, who was already in Morocco for a coaching course.
The AFCON 2025 tournament is scheduled to take place from the 21st of December to the 18th of January 2026, in Morocco.
