Warriors head coach Michael Nees has said Zimbabwe has been drawn into a tough group for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place later this year in Morocco.
Zimbabwe was placed in Group B, alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Angola. Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, and South Africa, the 1996 AFCON winners, are both strong teams.
The tournament will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, marking Zimbabwe’s return to Africa’s biggest football event after missing the previous edition in Côte d’Ivoire due to a FIFA suspension.
Nees is relieved that the Warriors avoided the host nation, Morocco, but acknowledges the strength of their opponents. He said:
<blockquote>
We avoided the host nation, Morocco, but we are still in a very strong group. Facing three familiar opponents means there are no secrets.
Our matches against Bafana Bafana and Angola will be intense regional derbies, while Egypt, the record champions, will undoubtedly come with their best squad, including world-class talent.
We need to be ready from day one. With proper preparation, we can take on this challenge. Our goal, like every other team, is to progress beyond the group stage. We respect our opponents, but we also believe in our own abilities.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s campaign will begin against Egypt at Stade Agadir on December 22. They will then face Angola at Stade de Marrakech on December 26, before a final group-stage match against South Africa also at Stade de Marrakech on December 29.

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The Warriors coach, Michael Nees, says Zimbabwe is in a tough group for the 2025 AFCON with Egypt, South Africa, and Angola. The tournament will take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. Nees is relieved not to face host nation Morocco but knows the other teams are strong. Zimbabwe will play Egypt, South Africa, and Angola in the group stage matches. Nees believes they can succeed with proper preparation and hopes to advance beyond the group stage. The team's first match is against Egypt on December 22.

Warriors Coach Nees Reflects On 2025 AFCON Draw

The Zimbabwe men’s football team, the Warriors, have been drawn into Group B for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Angola.
The tournament will take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
The draw, which took place in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday night, has placed the Warriors in a challenging group with two of Africa’s football powerhouses.
Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, and South Africa, the 1996 AFCON winners, are both formidable opponents.
South Africa claimed their first and only AFCON title by defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final when they hosted the tournament.
Below are the groups for the 2025 AFCON finals:
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DRC, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
The top two teams in each pool as well as the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the round of 16 at the AFCON 2025.

The Zimbabwe men's football team, the Warriors, will play against Egypt, South Africa, and Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The tournament will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Egypt and South Africa are tough opponents for the Warriors as they have won the AFCON before. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16. The Warriors have a challenging road ahead in the tournament.

Warriors Drawn In Tough Group For 2025 AFCON Finals

The Zimbabwe senior men’s national football team is set to receive a US$1 million boost from the government for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, which will be held in Morocco.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced the allocation during his presentation of the 2025 National Budget on Thursday. He said:
<blockquote>
Government has… made a provision of US$1 million for the preparations and participation of the Zimbabwe National Football Team (Warriors) for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set for December 2025 in Morocco.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe will be making their sixth appearance at AFCON in Morocco, marking a milestone 20 years since their debut at the 2004 edition in Tunisia.
In related developments, the government has allocated ZiG189 million for the ongoing renovations of the National Sports Stadium.
However, the completion target has been extended to 2025, after missing the initial deadline set for the end of this year. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
Sports, arts and culture sectors contribute significantly to employment creation, as well as help mitigate drug and 
substance abuse, while also serving as catalysts for economic growth.
To support these sectors, ZiG888.4 million has been allocated to the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
This allocation is meant to facilitate country-wide identification and development of talent in sport, arts and culture among the youth, as well as the rehabilitation of national sports stadia, multi-purpose sports facilities and other recreation facilities across all provinces.
Specifically, ZiG189 million is meant to complete the renovations of the National Sports Stadium to make it usable during the year 2025.
</blockquote>
Renovations of the National Sports Stadium began in 2023 but have faced delays due to insufficient funding from the Treasury, as revealed by Minister of Sport, Kirsty Coventry, earlier this year.
At present, Zimbabwe lacks any stadiums certified by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international football matches.
Historically, the National Sports Stadium and Rufaro Stadium in Harare, as well as Barbourfields in Bulawayo were used for international fixtures, but all have been condemned by CAF for failing to meet the required standards.
As a result, Zimbabwe has had to rely on alternative venues in neighbouring countries, such as South Africa and Botswana, to host international games.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government is giving $1 million to help the Zimbabwe national football team prepare for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. This is the sixth time they will be playing in AFCON. The government is also giving money to renovate the National Sports Stadium. The stadium is not ready yet because of not enough money. They are trying to make the stadium good so Zimbabwe can play games there and not have to use other countries' stadiums. Sports, arts, and culture are important for creating jobs and helping young people.

Government Allocates US$1 Million For Warriors' AFCON 2025 Campaign

Warriors coach Michael Nees is determined to see his team complete the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign unbeaten when they face Group J leaders, Cameroon, on Tuesday afternoon.
Although Zimbabwe has already secured qualification for the 2025 AFCON finals, Nees is approaching the final match against Cameroon with the same level of seriousness.
Speaking to reporters, he said that a victory would not only boost the Warriors’ FIFA rankings but also help instil a winning mentality within the team. Said Nees (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/nees-targets-unbeaten-campaign/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
We will play Cameroon with maximum concentration and focus. We are not getting into this game seeing it as a dead rubber, no. These games matter and they impact our rankings.
We need to win the match and finish strongly. You know the vibe that winning games can bring and can do to the team.
That’s why we have to go out there and have a strong mentality and will to fight.
Hopefully we will do well and get a big result against a big opponent.
But travelling has been such a big issue as the fixture has been largely condensed. We train once or twice and then it’s match day.
The qualification has been a bit condensed. When a key player gets injured, you are sure to miss him for some games and there is also no time to train.
</blockquote>
The Warriors secured a 1-1 draw against Kenya last Friday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, a result that confirmed their qualification for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Cameroon, who sealed their qualification with two matches to spare, lead the group with 11 points, two ahead of second-placed Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s squad has been slightly weakened, with France-based midfielder Marshal Munetsi on compassionate leave and defender Gerald Takwara ruled out due to a shoulder injury sustained in Friday’s game.
No replacements have been called up, and coach Michael Nees may give playing time to those who are yet to play in the ongoing qualifiers, including Brentford goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva and Dynamos defender Emmanuel Jalai.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The coach of the Zimbabwe football team wants to win their last AFCON qualifying match against Cameroon. Even though they are already qualified, winning will make their ranking better and help the team become more confident. The coach says it's important to keep fighting and have a strong mentality. The team has some players missing due to injury or personal issues, but the coach may give chances to other players in the last game. Winning is important, even if they have already qualified, and the team is focused on doing their best.

Nees Targets Unbeaten AFCON Qualifying Campaign

Kenya national football team coach Engin Firat has heaped praise on the Warriors and tipped the Zimbabwe national football team to do well at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Zimbabwe secured their spot in the finals with a game to spare, following an entertaining 1-1 draw against Firat’s side in South Africa on Friday.
Firat believes that the Warriors, who are under the tutelage of Michael Nees, a German coach, are in capable hands. He said:
<blockquote>
Your coach is doing a really clever thing. He knows that Zimbabwe has a good defence and therefore he plays deep and goes for transition.
He has brought back Khama Billiat and now has a real playmaker who can keep the ball.
The team is now very competitive. If I look around they have players playing for good clubs in big leagues. This is a really strong team.
Even in our group Namibia has one point but in the World Cup qualifiers, they are second in their group.
So this group was very rough. This is the reality, Zimbabwe are going to the AFCON, and they have had really good results.
The football needed in Africa is fast transition and a very strong defence. I am sure Zimbabwe have a really good chance of going out of the groups something they have not achieved before. I think they have a very good chance this time.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe has never advanced beyond the group stage at the AFCON finals. Sunday Chidzambga (twice), Charles Mhlauri, Kalisto Pasuwa and Norman Mapeza all failed to lead the Warriors into the knockout stages at AFCON.
Nees became the second foreign coach to lead the Warriors to AFCON qualification, following in the footsteps of Croatian Zdravko Logarusic, who achieved the same feat in 2021.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Kenya Coach, Engin Firat, believes that the Zimbabwe national football team will do well at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He praised the team's defense and their playmaker Khama Billiat. Firat thinks that Zimbabwe has a strong team with players from good clubs. They have never gotten past the group stage before, but this time, Firat thinks they have a good chance. The coach is impressed with the team's performance and believes they can make it to the knockout stages at AFCON 2025.

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