WARRIORS captain Marvelous Nakamba made a final rallying cry before boarding the flight for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Morocco, where he emphasised a spirit of unity and defiance despite a preparation period marred by injury heartbreaks and selection controversies.
The Zimbabwe national football team departed for Morocco with a singular, historic mission to break the jinx and progress to the knockout stages of the Afcon for the first time in the nation’s history.
The 2025 Afcon edition kicks off this Sunday, December 21, when hosts Morocco take on Comoros.
For Zimbabwe, the journey begins on Monday, December 22, in Agadir against the Pharaohs of Egypt — a daunting opening fixture in a Group B that also features regional rivals South Africa and Angola.
“Here in camp, we have been pushing like Warriors,” Nakamba told reporters.
“Everyone is ready and training hard. We are looking forward to going there to compete and fight for the badge of our country.
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“It is a huge opportunity for us to win and finally progress to the next stage.”
The road to Morocco has been anything, but smooth for coach Marian Marinica.
The squad has been depleted by a string of high-profile injuries, most notably vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, Tino Kadewere, Italy-based Jordan Zemura and Walter Musona.
The exclusion of Munetsi and Musona sparked heated debate among fans.
While Wolverhampton Wanderers suggested Munetsi had a 90% chance of recovery from a calf strain, Marinica opted for caution.
Similarly, Musona’s omission on medical grounds was met with protest from the player himself, who claimed he was “1 000% fit”.
Adding to the drama was the dropping of veteran Khama Billiat and young Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.
However, the squad sees the return of Macauley Bonne and Alec Mudimu, alongside 16-year-old starlet Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi.
Nakamba, one of the most experienced members of the squad and good to his fourth continental championship, has taken on a mentorship role for the newcomers.
“The senior guys have been there before, but for players like Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi and Prosper Padera, it’s their first time,” Nakamba noted.
“We are helping them prepare and stay focused. As a group, we are standing behind the young players.”
While the local-based contingent left on Tuesday, they will be joined in Morocco by the foreign-based brigade, including Andy Rinomhota, Bill Antonio, Tawanda Maswanhise and Munashe Garananga.
Nakamba concluded with a direct plea to the 12th man: “To the fans, please support us. Your voice means a lot to us. We are not afraid of this group; we are focusing on what we can do.”
Warriors Group B fixtures:
Dec 22: vs Egypt (Agadir)
Dec 25: vs Angola (Marrakech)
Dec 29: vs South Africa (Marrakech)
Goalkeepers
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants)
Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi)
Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
Defenders
Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC)
Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC)
Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday FC)
Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen)
Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC Libya)
Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora FC)
Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle FC)
Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati)
Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United)
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders
Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town FC)
Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirg Aue)
Andrew Rinomhota (Reading FC)
Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki)
Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC)
Forwards
Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen FC)
Ishmael Wadi (Caps United FC)
Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC)
Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants FC)
Prince Dube (Young Africans SC)
Washington Navaya (TelOne FC)
Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree FC)
Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy FC)
Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland FC)