Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
The Zimbabwe senior national football team, the Warriors are gunning for victory when they take on Kenya in their first match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda this Friday.
It is the dawn of a new era for the Zimbabwe Warriors who kick off the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign under new coach Micheal Nees, who has stressed the need for a new mind-set as the Warriors face the Harambee stars of Kenya in their first match of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers this Friday.
“We need to change the belief, we have done a lot but we need to show it on the pitch, we are ready and we want to start very well and strongly on the front foot,” Nees said.
The players are equally confident of the team’s chances.
Midfielder Jordan Zemura said, “We need to start strongly, we have a good side and we need to deliver on the pitch,” while forward Khama Billiat said, “We need to be aggressive and play on the front foot, but we also need to be very solid at the back.”
The Harambee stars believe playing at a neutral venue levels the playing field.
“It is sad that we can’t play at home because we want the backing of our fans because they can influence the match even influence the officials, so this will be very much even, but we are prepared for it,” said Kenya coach Engin Firat.
Zimbabwe have not beaten Kenya in the last three competitive matches, but the East Africans are missing several key players including captain Micheal Olunga through injury.
All the pre-match talk is done, what’s left is for the two teams to battle on the field of play.
