Failure and heartbreak have long been familiar themes in Zimbabwean football, and it was perhaps inevitable that the Warriors’ 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign would end in despair.
The Southern Africans flew to Egypt amid a rising tide of optimism after some encouraging displays in the qualifiers only to return home a miserable lot, with a 4-0 defeat by Democratic Republic of Congo ensuring an inglorious end to the dream of a first ever appearance in the knockout stages.
Yet the future might…
Zimbabwe champions FC Platinum will hope to make up for lost time when they visit CNaPS of Madagascar for the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie on Wednesday.
Platinum are under pressure to reach the competition’s group stages for the first time after falling short on each of their last two attempts.
The Zvishavane-based outfit have barely taken a moment’s rest following a marathon run en route to domestic league glory, but that will be no excuse should they fail to negotiate…
Zambia’s impressive displays in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers generated genuine hope that the good times would soon be back for the 2012 African champions, and the arrival of Sven Vandenbroeck was expected to further accelerate the team’s revival.
As the Southern Africans survey the wreckage in the aftermath of yet another crushing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, however, it is not easy to escape the conclusion that Vandenbroeck’s appointment in July actually precipitated Zambia’s stunning…
Zimbabwe travelled to Liberia on Sunday with their confidence high after a four-match unbeaten run had brought them to the brink of Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Needing just a point to secure the ticket to Cameroon, Zimbabwe were undone by a second-half William Jebor strike to end up 1-0 losers, leaving their supporters fearing the worst.
Now, the team they often refer to as ‘the worry us’, go into the final qualifier at home to Congo-Brazzaville needing a result.
Where did it all go wrong…
Zimbabwe’s impressive away record in the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers faces a stern test away to a Liberia team who have so far proved formidable foes at home in a tantalising Group G matchup on Sunday.
Although Liberia sit bottom of the pile with four points, they still retain a fighting chance going into the penultimate round thanks to some heroic performances in Monrovia, where they held the Democratic Republic of Congo to a 1-1 draw in September before edging Congo-Brazzaville…
Zimbabwe winger Talent Chawapiwa believes the Warriors’ formidable fire power can ‘punish’ Liberia in their own backyard when the two teams clash in Sunday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Zimbabwe head to Monrovia with their confidence high after collecting an improbable four points from last month’s double-header against the Democratic Republic of Congo to put a firm grip on Group G.
They now enjoy a comfortable three-point lead over second-placed DRC, and the unbeaten Warriors can secure…
France-based attacker Tinotenda Kadewere’s return to full fitness after four months out with a knee complaint should prove a great lift for Zimbabwe as they close in on a ticket to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year.
The Warriors visit Liberia on Sunday needing victory to seal a second consecutive AFCON qualification.
A draw could even see them through if Congo-Brazzaville lose to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other Group G encounter.
True enough, Kadewere cannot realistically…
Unfashionable Triangle bagged their first major trophy after second-half goals from captain Ralph Kawondera and speedy winger Phineas Bamusi ensured a 2-0 win over Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup final on Saturday.
Playing in front of their…
Exciting Harare City starlet Tatenda Tumba only managed an injury-time appearance as his team won a second Chibuku Super Cup trophy last year, and it is a measure of the progress he has made since then that he will start Sunday’s clash against Triangle as one of the players to watch.
City are looking to win their third Chibuku Super Trophy in five seasons, but standing in the way are an experienced and compact Triangle side who are hoping to use home advantage to land a first major title.
Apart…
In the wake of FC Platinum’s milestone second consecutive title triumph, it might be worth recalling that it took Zimbabwe’s wealthiest football club eight seasons to bag a debut championship, and that despite their overwhelming dominance on the transfer market.
The hope is that Norman Mapeza’s men will not need that long to make headway in Africa.
Platinum beat Shabanie Mine 1-0 on Sunday to seal the league crown, with new arrival Devon Chafa netting the decisive goal late in the second-half to…