Warriors coach Michael Nees has postponed the announcement of the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Nigeria and Benin to allow more time for evaluating locally-based players, as the league season has just begun.
Zimbabwe will face Benin on March 20 in Durban, South Africa, before travelling to Uyo, Nigeria, for their second match against the Super Eagles on March 25.
Nees said that since the Warriors players are spread across different parts of the world, he requires more time to properly assess their performances. He said:
<blockquote>
We have a diverse team. I said it before — a three-group team — diverse in terms of the fact that you have a group from overseas, that is Europe, Teenage (Hadebe), also from the USA, and General (Gerald Takwara), now in Iraq.
Then we have the South African group. Then we have the local group. In every group, the situation is different.
I said in November that my worry was always that the (local) players might not yet be in the right shape. I already expressed that.
I predicted that already, because I cannot even check a player properly over two, or three matches before I announce the squad.
It’s like a blind flight. You pick players and you aren’t sure are they fit? Are they this or that? Very difficult.
</blockquote>
The Castle Lager Premiership is only two weeks into the new season after a two-month off-season break, and players are still working to regain full match fitness. Said Nees:
<blockquote>
For the local group, the season hasn’t yet started properly. It just started last week. So, we watched three games (last week).
Here is the mystery with me — three games. We drove up and down. Three games. It was, right, yeah, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Then we have the group, the other two groups; their leagues are running.
Yes, that is not such a problem. You can easily observe, you know, in Teenage’s league; they now already have four or five games in the season, so they are in season and not yet 100 per cent at the end, but there shouldn’t be a problem.
Every group has its own challenges and that’s why I could not announce the squad earlier.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/nees-to-name-his-men-this-week-warriors-coach-worried-over-local-players">The Sunday Mail</a>

Pindula News

Warriors coach Nees needs more time to pick players for World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Benin. The league season just started, so he wants to watch more games to evaluate local and overseas players properly. Nees says local players need more time to get into shape because the season just started. He needs to make sure players are fit and ready before choosing the squad. The team will face tough challenges in the upcoming matches, and Nees wants to make sure he picks the right players to represent Zimbabwe.

Nees Needs More Time To Finalise Warriors' Squad For World Cup Qualifiers

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Normalisation Committee has ruled out using the 10,000-capacity Huye Stadium in the city of Butare, Rwanda, for the Warriors’ next 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying home match against Lesotho in South Africa. Their reason is that the stadium is too distant from Zimbabwe.
Due to the Government’s failure to fulfil its promise of rehabilitating the National Sports Stadium to Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards, the Warriors are likely to play their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on foreign soil.
In their last home match, the Zimbabwe senior national team faced Nigeria and Rwanda at Huye Stadium in November 2023, resulting in draws for both matches.
ZIFA Normalisation Committee Chairperson Lincoln Mutasa told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/sport/article/200025211/homeless-warriors-look-to-sa">NewsDay</a> that they are actively exploring venues within the southern African region to host their upcoming home match. Said Mutasa:
<blockquote>
CAF required us to suggest a venue by March 27 and by that time no local ground had been approved by the continental football governing body to host matches, so we were left with no option but to play our match away.
However, having played our first home matches in Rwanda since being readmitted back into international football, we felt Rwanda is a bit far and we are looking at venues around SADC [Southern African Development Community] and will make it public once all the necessary modalities have been carried out.
</blockquote>
The government assured that the Warriors would host their upcoming home matches at the National Sports Stadium.
However, despite the facility being closed for renovations, no efforts have been made to bring the stadium up to the necessary standards.
This week, a widely circulated image on social media revealed the neglected state of the facility’s dried-out grass.
Over the past few decades, Zimbabwe’s public infrastructure has alarmingly deteriorated, with blame falling squarely on corrupt and ineffective public officials.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Warriors Won't Use Rwandan Stadium For Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers - ZIFA

The Warriors were held to a goalless draw by hosts Rwanda in Wednesday’s opening match of Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
This was the first competitive match for Zimbabwe since FIFA lifted the country’s suspension from international football in July.
The Warriors lost centre forward Admiral Muskwe to injury in the early stages of the match. He was replaced by Terrence Dzvukamanja who had two great chances but failed to bury them.
Rwanda dominated the second half but it was Zimbabwe that found the net in the 70th minute through Marshall Munetsi after being set up by substitute Obriel Chirinda.
However, the goal was chalked off after the referee adjudged that the Zimbabwean midfielder had strayed into an offside position.
Veteran journalist Robson Sharuko commended the Warriors for picking up a point in their opening Group C match. He said:
<blockquote>
We don’t have a record of doing well on the road, we didn’t have the best of preps, with players coming in late, a new coach and coming from a lengthy ban, this is a GOOD result and GOOD point for the Warriors. Well done guys.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Warriors Held To Goalless Draw By Rwanda In World Cup Qualifier

Luton Town midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, who is reportedly set to wear the captain’s armband in Zimbabwe’s FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifier clash against Rwanda this Wednesday, said the squad is ready for the match.
Nakamba was speaking from Rwanda where the Warriors will face The Wasps of Rwanda and Super Eagles of Nigeria at Huye Stadium in Butare, on 15 and 19 November, respectively. <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/everyone-is-geared-up-says-highly-rated-nakamba-as-warriors-hunt-rwanda-on-wednesday/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> quoted him as saying:
<blockquote>
Everyone is geared up; we are pushing each other. Some of the guys just arrived, we are waiting for some more to get here.
We are looking forward to the games, the first one against Rwanda. We all know international games are different from club-level games so we are focusing on giving everything in training and motivating each other to do the best for our country.
… I missed the AFCON last time, I think this is good for us, for youngsters who have a dream to represent the country. This can help those who also wish to play internationally.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Rwanda are in Group C of the qualifiers alongside Benin, South Africa and Lesotho.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Everyone Is Geared Up, Says Nakamba Ahead Of World Cup Qualifiers

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is yet to finalise the venue of the Warriors’ 2026 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on 20 November.
ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairperson Lincoln Mutasa told <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zifa-in-warriors-conundrum">The Sunday Mail</a> that the senior team may host the Super Eagles in Rwanda. Said Mutasa:
<blockquote>
We are working on hosting Nigeria in Rwanda and we are going to inform football stakeholders about it once discussions have been finalised.
</blockquote>
The Warriors take on Rwanda in Kigali on 13 November before hosting Nigeria a week later.
Mutasa conceded that ZIFA will incur huge costs in staging the Warriors’ assignments “home away from home”. He said:
<blockquote>
Yes, there are financial losses to be incurred but this is a sticky situation that we find ourselves in.
What saddens us the most is that supporters will miss an opportunity to watch their beloved team at home after a long time without international football.
While we would have wanted to get revenue from the match, what is important for us is to give footballers a rare opportunity to play the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
You can never put a cost to that.
Naturally, the football association foots its own bills, if it is within their means, but help from our partners will be accepted.
</blockquote>
Last week, the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya told senators that ZIFA was yet to notify the Ministry about plans to host the Warriors match in Rwanda.
Meanwhile, ZIFA failed to arrange international friendly matches for the Warriors in the recent international break.
The Warriors ended up playing a practice match against a Northern Region select side, which they lost 3-1.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIFA Yet To Secure Venue For Warriors' Home 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

A senior government official has professed ignorance over plans by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to host Nigeria in Rwanda next month as local stadiums have been declared unfit to host international matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, reported <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/government-unaware-homeless-warriors-will-host-nigeria-in-rwanda/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>.
Reports indicate that the Warriors may host Nigeria in Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Responding to questions from senators about the stadium crisis, Deputy Minister of Sports Arts and Culture <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Emily_Jesaya">Emily Jesaya</a> said the Ministry has not been officially informed about plans for the Warriors to host the Super Eagles in Rwanda. She said:
<blockquote>
As a Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, we are glad the suspension or ban has been lifted and we are now able to compete at the international level.
With regard to hosting soccer matches as a country, we are unable to host soccer matches in this country.
What I would like to inform the House is that the bureau has since lifted the ban and there is normalisation.
We have not officially been informed with regards to hosting local matches as far as Rwanda, but if they inform us, we will come back to the Senate to inform you of that development.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign away to Rwanda on 13 November before hosting Nigeria on 20 November.
Last month a FIFA inspector was in the country to assess the National Sports Stadium and Rufaro Stadium but the report is yet to be released.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Unaware Warriors Will Host Nigeria In Rwanda

The Warriors are set to host the Zebras of Botswana in an international friendly match on Saturday, 14 October 2023 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
In a statement, the ZIFA Normalisation Committee said the Warriors squad will be made up of both local and foreign-based players. ZIFA said:
<blockquote>
The squad will be publicised once all logistical issues have been finalised.
Players will start arriving for camp on Wednesday.
This match is an integral part of the country’s preparations for matchdays 1 and 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set for November 13 to 21.
</blockquote>
The gate charges are as follows; $5 Rest of Ground, $10 Bay 15-18, and $50 VIP.
The match kicks off at 3 PM Central African Time.
The Warriors’ first 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier will be away to Rwanda before they host Nigeria a few days later.
Zimbabwe is in Group C with Benin, Lesotho, South Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Warriors To Play Botswana On 14 October

The Warriors will play their 2026 World Cup home qualifiers outside the country as Zimbabwe doesn’t have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international matches.
According to a CAF circular, the National Sports Stadium (NSS) was excluded from the list of pre-approved stadiums for the qualifiers which begin this November.
This is despite recent assurances made by then Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Kirsty Coventry that renovations at the stadium will be fast-tracked to ensure that the Warriors play World Cup games at home.
Zimbabwe are in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers together with Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho.
The Warriors begin their campaign away in Rwanda on 13 November 2023. A week later, they host Nigeria in a home match which will be played outside Zimbabwe.
The ZIFA normalisation committee, which is temporarily running the affairs of the national association, has until 8 September 2023 to secure a venue where they will host Nigeria.
Zimbabwe is among 24 countries of the 54 CAF membership, including fellow Group C members Benin and Lesotho, who have no approved stadiums to host international matches.
In 2019, CAF and FIFA suspended NSS from hosting international matches due to its poor condition.
Improvements that need to be done on the facility include the installation of bucket seats made of unbreakable and non-inflammable material, modern electronic turnstiles and automated systems, and the setting up of a functional Venue Operations Centre with a good overview of the stadium equipped with CCTV monitors for security purposes.
In the meantime, the Warriors can use the Obedi Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, which meets the CAF requirements, as their home ground.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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