Magwizi confident as Warriors begin road to AFCON 2027

Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president Nqobile Magwizi says he has full confidence in the Warriors technical team as Zimbabwe prepares to kick-off its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations  (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

The Warriors, who were drawn in Group E together with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea, kick start their campaign against Sierra Leone in Morocco before hosting DRC at the National Sports Stadium.

Speaking to Fanzone yesterday in Harare at the Better Brands Challenge Cup Nash Under20 tournament closing ceremony at Prince Edward School, Magwizi said the national team will go into the qualifiers with one clear objective – to win every match – while remaining realistic about the challenges that lie ahead.

The Warriors. Picture by Fanzone

“We want to win every match we play. I have confidence in the coaching staff and the technical team. I have confidence in the team they have selected because they are the experts and I’m going to support all the initiatives that they are putting towards ensuring a successful voyage, successful journey around the African qualifiers,” said Magwizi.

Zimbabwe’s road to the continental jamboree, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, begins with an away trip to Casablanca, Morocco, on the 24th of this month to face Sierra Leone, before hosting DRC at the Giant National Sports Stadium four days later on the 28th.

Magwizi described both fixtures as crucial.

“So we play Sierra Leone on the 24th in Casablanca, very important match. Hopefully our players will get enough time to prepare with the coach and definitely we want a win. Very important. But I’m also aware that this is the first time the coach is meeting the players. We’re also aware of that. So our expectations also have to be measured having that in the background,” he said.

“We have another match on the 28th where we are playing DRC. Very important match. DRC is coming from the World Cup and we are playing at home for the first time. So it’s a very emotional match. We desire of course to win. We must win. But we are also playing a very strong team.”

The clash against DRC will be historic – it marks the Warriors’ return to home soil for the first time in over four years.

Zimbabwe last played at home in 2021 against Ethiopia in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the National Sports Stadium, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate, before local stadiums were banned by CAF for failing to meet minimum standards.

However, renovation works have been done at the Giant Stadium and CAF approved it a few weeks ago, paving the way for international football to return on the 28th against a DRC side fresh from their 2026 FIFA World Cup heroics in the United States.

The qualifiers will also be the first competitive assignment for new substantive head coach Ramon Catala, who replaced Mario Marinica – the man who steered the ship during the 2024 AFCON campaign.

Catala has announced a 23-man squad blending experience and youth, featuring seasoned internationals like Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Elvis Chipezeze and Tino Kadewere, as well as uncapped Liverpool prospect Isaac Mabaya, who is in line for his debut.

Magwizi says ZIFA has given the technical team a long-term strategy while demanding maximum points early to avoid pressure later.

“So we are in a very tricky group but I have given the team, the coaching team, a perspective to say we have a strategy. Let’s start working towards a much more broader strategy. Let’s win whichever, whatever match we can win now. We must win as many matches as possible at the onset of the qualifiers so that we are not under pressure come March next year. Because the last match is against DRC in DRC. So we must do what needs to be done now,” Magwizi said.

“So the coaches are clear on that but we are also realistic in terms of understanding the amount of pressure they have and we have given them all the support. It needs a lot of resources to make sure that we prepare when we represent ourselves with dignity.”

The Warriors will be hoping to make a strong statement in Morocco before giving long-suffering home fans something to cheer about in Harare.

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