Story by Mthokozisi Dube
The Zimbabwe Senior Men’s football team, the Warriors, booked a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after sharing the spoils one-all with Kenya at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa Friday evening.
Matches involving the Warriors and the Harambe Stars of Kenya often keep fans on the edge and Friday’s AFCON qualifier was no exception.
Despite a bumper crowd rallying behind the Warriors, the first 30 minutes were hectic as the Harambe Stars made countless raids in search of an early goal.
The Warriors then put to bed the pressure after drawing first blood moments after the half hour mark.
Khama Billiat made an intelligent run on the right flank and set up young forward Tawanda Maswanhise who sent fans into frenzy after slotting home Zimbabwe’s opener.
Zimbabwe’s left back Teenage Hadebe had a difficult time containing the pair of Jonah Ananisa Ayunga and Ronney Otieno Onyango.
The Harambe Stars came back an organised side in the second half, capitalising on a school boy blunder by defender Gerald Takwara and Jonah Ananias Ayunga duly cancelled the Warriors lead.
Warriors Head Coach Michael Nees was a satisfied man after guiding the team to the AFCON finals.
“It was a difficult game but credit should go to the boys and the technical team who have been here before me. We knew Kenya would come at us but we are happy for making it to the finals with a game to spare. It was going to be difficult if we had to take the risk of going to Cameroon without sealing qualification,” he said.
His opposite number Engin Firat complained of the choice of the match venue, but conceded defeat.
“Congratulations to Zimbabwe. We wanted to qualify but I think my boys tried their best. Zimbabwe is doing well we saw them bring back Khama. In Kenya we have to fix a lot of issues in football. We do not have a competitive league and an approved stadium,” he noted.
The Warriors now shift focus to the last Group J AFCON qualifier against log leaders Cameroon who have also sealed qualification, in four days’ time.
