The Warriors must beat hosts Tanzania in their Group A match on Saturday if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the ongoing Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge.
Zimbabwe cruised past Djibouti 2-0 in their first match of the competition last Sunday to temporarily assume the top position on the group standings, but a shock 2-0 loss to high-riding Rwanda on Tuesday condemned the Warriors to third position.
Rwanda, who also beat the hosts 1-0 in their first match, are on six points and have already qualified for the quarter-finals.
With log leaders Rwanda already assured of the quarter-final berth, the fight for the other slot from the group is now between second-placed Tanzania and third-placed Zimbabwe who are both on three points with an equal chance of going through.
Tanzania, who are the defending champions, overtook the Warriors on the standings after trouncing hapless Djibouti 3-0 on Tuesday to take their goal difference to +2, against Zimbabwe’s 0.
The Norman Mapeza-coached side — who are reported to be doing everything right on the field of play but scoring — will have to find their shooting boots when they entertain the Kilimanjaro Stars.