Zimbabwe heads to the Africa Cup 2025 with high expectations. The nation is renowned for its passionate supporters and a squad that often boasts more talent than results suggest. While past tournaments have largely brought hope mixed with disappointment, this time there appears to be a more balanced team with a clear football identity. The Warriors aim to prove they can go beyond the group stage and finally establish themselves as a genuine outsider.
- Nickname: The Warriors
- Head coach: Michael Nees
- Football Association: Zimbabwe Football Association
- AFCON appearances: 5 times
- FIFA ranking: 116
Zimbabwe’s Match Schedule
Zimbabwe has been drawn into Group B, alongside Egypt, South Africa and Angola. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow the Warriors.
| 22 December | Group stage |
 Egypt Zimbabwe | 2 1 |
| 26 December | Group stage |
 Angola Zimbabwe | 1 1 |
| 29 December | Group stage |
Zimbabwe South Africa | 2 3 |
Stats Zimbabwe AFCON 2025
Top scorer
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Knowledge Musona | 1 |
| 2. | Prince Dube | 1 |
| 3. | Tawanda Maswanhise | 1 |
Assists
| # | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jonah Fabisch | 1 |
| 2. | Emmanuel Jalai | 1 |
| 3. | Bill Antonio | 1 |
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Washington Arubi | 7,3 |
| 2. | Prince Dube | 7,0 |
| 3. | Tawanda Maswanhise | 7,0 |
| 4. | Gerald Takwara | 6,8 |
| 5. | Marvelous Nakamba | 6,6 |
| 6. | Macauley Bonne | 6,6 |
| 7. | Tawanda Chirewa | 6,6 |
| 8. | Jonah Fabisch | 6,5 |
| 9. | Emmanuel Jalai | 6,5 |
| 10. | Brendan Galloway | 6,4 |
Zimbabwe Squad
Keepers:
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos FC), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC)
Defenders:
Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora FC), Gerald Takwara (El Ettihad Al-Misraty), Munashe Garananga (FC Kopenhagen), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United)
Midfielders:
Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki), Sean Sheunesu Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Andrew Rinomhota (Reading FC), Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirge Aue), Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC)
Attackers:
Prince Dube (Young Africans SC), Washington Navaya (TelOne FC), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United FC), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy), Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland FC)
Head Coach Zimbabwe
Michael Nees is known for his modern, structured approach. Holding a master’s degree in sports science, he has extensive experience as a coach and technical advisor for countries such as Rwanda and South Africa.
Since taking charge, he has brought clarity, stability, and a clear playing identity to the Warriors. Opponents, including Kenya’s coach Engin Firat, have praised Zimbabwe’s solid defense and sharp counterattacking style.
Star Player Zimbabwe
Khama Billiat is one of Zimbabwe’s most talented and recognizable footballers, celebrated for his pace, technical skill, and goalscoring ability. After emerging at CAPS United, he rose to stardom in South Africa. At Ajax Cape Town, his dribbling and agility caught the eye, but it was with Mamelodi Sundowns that he hit his peak: multiple league titles, the 2016 CAF Champions League and a clean sweep of South Africa’s major individual awards that same year.
Returning to Zimbabwe, Billiat has continued to shine. In 2024, he produced 13 goals and 11 assists with Yadah FC, before signing with the newly founded Scottland FC in early 2025, where he now serves as marquee player and team leader. Billiat’s ability to deliver in decisive moments is what makes him invaluable: he famously converted the winning penalty against Namibia to secure Zimbabwe’s AFCON 2025 qualification.
Zimbabwe AFCON History
Zimbabwe has become a familiar presence at the Africa Cup, though the tournament has rarely gone as planned. Since their debut in 2004, the Warriors have yet to advance beyond the group stage. Still, they have produced memorable moments that underline their potential at this level.
In 2004 and 2006, they collected points but fell short against heavyweights such as Cameroon and Egypt. After a long absence, they returned in 2017, impressing with their attacking play. In 2019, they held Nigeria to a draw before narrowly missing out on progression. At AFCON 2021, they again bowed out in the group phase, despite a morale-boosting win over Guinea.
The pattern is clear: Zimbabwe has the talent to compete but struggles to sustain performance across all three group games. With a stronger squad and clearer identity, the 2025 edition is seen as a golden opportunity to finally break the cycle.
Road to AFCON 2025
Zimbabwe’s qualification campaign for the 2025 tournament was not spectacular, but it was efficient. The Warriors built their success on solid defensive foundations and a series of steady results, which allowed them to secure their ticket well in advance. Drawn in a group alongside Cameroon, Namibia and Kenya, Zimbabwe kept damage to a minimum and collected the points needed to progress.
| Wednesday 4 September 2024 | |
 Kenya Zimbabwe | 0 0 |
| Tuesday 10 September 2024 | |
Zimbabwe Cameroon | 0 0 |
| Thursday 10 October 2024 | |
 Namibia Zimbabwe | 0 1 |
| Monday 14 October 2024 | |
| Zimbabwe Namibia | 3 1 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Zimbabwe Kenya | 1 1 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| Cameroon Zimbabwe | 2 1 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | 14 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +6 |
| Zimbabwe | 9 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| Kenya | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -3 |
| Namibia | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -5 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Walter Musona | 2 |
| 2. | Khama Billiat | 1 |
| 3. | Prince Dube | 1 |
| 4. | Tawanda Maswanhise | 1 |
| 5. | Terrence Dzvukamanja | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jordan Zemura | 2 |
| 2. | Terrence Dzvukamanja | 1 |
| 3. | Khama Billiat | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Marvelous Nakamba | 7,4 |
| 2. | Khama Billiat | 7,2 |
| 3. | Washington Arubi | 7,1 |
| 4. | Walter Musona | 7,0 |
| 5. | Munashe Garananga | 7,0 |
| 6. | Prince Dube | 6,9 |
| 7. | Marshall Munetsi | 6,9 |
| 8. | Andy Rinomhota | 6,9 |
| 9. | Terrence Dzvukamanja | 6,8 |
| 10. | Gerald Takwara | 6,8 |