Elvis Chipezeze and the DRC curse: Seven years later, a shot at redemption
On Monday, at the National Sports Stadium, Elvis Chipezeze is set to face the one opponent that has haunted his international career more than any other, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It will be exactly seven years after that night in Cairo on 30 June 2019 at the 30 June Stadium. Zimbabwe needed a result against DRC to stay alive at the Africa Cup of Nations.
First-choice keeper, the late George Chigova, was injured in the warm-up, Edmore Sibanda was already sidelined, and Chipezeze was thrown in at the deep end.
THE CAIRO NIGHTMARE: 30 JUNE 2019
What followed was a nightmare, three howlers, four goals conceded, to complete a 4-0 humiliation that knocked the Warriors out of AFCON.
Angry fans called for him to retire. His initial defiant response on social media only made it worse, before he issued a public apology to fans, teammates and the technical team.
For years after the humiliation in Cairo, Chipezeze fell completely down the pecking order. Despite rebuilding his club career, from Baroka FC heroics to leading Magesi FC to a historic Carling Knockout triumph over Mamelodi Sundowns, the national team door stayed shut.
He was overlooked whenever Zimbabwe called up goalkeepers. The howlers were always cited. That only changed in March 2025, when German coach Michael Nees was appointed Warriors head coach.
Nees recalled the 36-year-old, handing him a national team lifeline almost six years after his last cap. Now, fate has served him the ultimate redemption script.
Against the same Leopards, the very team that made him unpopular and cost him years in the wilderness, Chipezeze is expected to be in goal for Zimbabwe.
On Thursday, against Sierra Leone, he conceded two goals that left fans questioning him again, but all queries were overshadowed by the Warriors‘ inspirational comeback to win 3-2.
Warriors goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze in Magesi FC colors. Picture by Magesi FC
CHIPEZEZE HOPING FOR REDEMPTION AS NATIONAL SPORTS STADIUM OPENS DOORS FOR THE WARRIORS
As the National Sports Stadium opens its doors for the Warriors after close to five years due a CAF ban, it is a chance to cleanse his name, if he is given the number one jersey.
And Warriors captain Marvelous Nakamba knows DR Congo will be more difficult to break down than Sierra Leone but is confident they will deliver. He said: “We are excited to be back home, playing at home again. It is a good feeling just to think we will play in front of our fans again,” Nakamba said.
“I think it was a good win for the country. So now I think it’s water under the bridge, looking forward to the next match on Monday now. The boys, I think they did well, and the morale is high now. Of course, now we just have to focus on the next match.”
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