Zimbabwe’s national football team, under the guidance of coach Michael Nees, has secured their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a significant achievement for the team. This milestone came during their qualification match in Polokwane, where they faced Kenya in a crucial encounter. The victory was especially meaningful, as it was dedicated to the late Zimbabwean goalkeeper George Chigova, who had played a key role in their 2018 COSAFA Cup success and was tragically lost the previous year.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the fact that Zimbabwe had to play all their “home” matches away from home due to the lack of a CAF-approved stadium in the country. Nees became the first Zimbabwe coach to qualify for AFCON despite these challenges. His efforts have been widely praised, as he managed to lead his team to the 2025 finals under difficult conditions.
The match against Kenya was not without its tense moments. Zimbabwe knew they needed a result to secure their qualification, and the players gave their all. Although the game started nervously, the team managed to recover and secure a 1-1 draw, with the performance marked by notable individual efforts. The team’s ability to handle the pressure and maintain focus throughout the match was a testament to their resilience.
Coach Nees expressed his satisfaction with the result, acknowledging that while the start was shaky, the players’ determination and effort allowed them to achieve the necessary outcome. “I am impressed with how the game went on although it was a nervy start for us,” Nees said after the match. “The players gave it their all, and it was really good to see them doing that on the field of play. It was a game we needed a result from, and we are happy we got what we needed.”
The team’s qualification is also significant because it represents the first time in history that Zimbabwe has secured an AFCON spot with a game to spare, adding to the historical nature of their campaign. With a victory over Kenya, Zimbabwe joined 17 other countries, including Morocco (the hosts), Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, and South Africa, in qualifying for the tournament.
This achievement is a major boost for Zimbabwean football, especially considering the challenges the country faces in terms of infrastructure and support for its national team. Nees, despite the adversity, has shown strong leadership, and his success has set the stage for further progress as Zimbabwe heads into the final stages of preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
