Zimbabwe national football team

Zimbabwe
Nickname(s)The Warriors
AssociationZimbabwe Football Association
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachVacant
Most capsPeter Ndlovu (81)
Top scorerPeter Ndlovu (37)
Home stadiumNational Sports Stadium
FIFA codeZIM
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 125 2 (6 October 2022)[1]
Highest39 (April 1994)
Lowest131 (October 2009, February–March 2016)
First international
 Southern Rhodesia 0–4 Northern Rhodesia 
(Southern Rhodesia; 1946)
Biggest win
 Botswana 0–7 Zimbabwe 
(Gaborone, Botswana; 26 August 1990)
Biggest defeat
 South Africa 7–0 Rhodesia 
(South Africa; 9 April 1977)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances5 (first in 2004)
Best resultGroup stage (2004, 2006, 2017, 2019, 2021)
African Nations Championship
Appearances5 (first in 2009)
Best resultFourth place (2014)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances20 (first in 1997)
Best resultChampions (2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2017, 2018)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
2000 Southern Africa
2003 Southern Africa
2005 Southern Africa
2009 Zimbabwe
2017 South Africa
2018 South Africa
1998 Southern Africa
2001 Southern Africa
2013 ZambiaTeam
2019 South Africa
CECAFA Cup
1985 Zimbabwe
1983 Kenya
1982 Uganda

The Zimbabwe national football team (Nicknamed The Warriors), represents Zimbabwe in men's international football and is controlled by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), formerly known as the Football Association of Rhodesia. The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals, but has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations five times. Zimbabwe has also won the COSAFA Cup a record six times. The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History

Southern Rhodesia played their first official match against the England Amateur national football team as part of their tour of South Africa and Rhodesia in June 1929. Southern Rhodesia lost their first two matches against England 4–0 and 6–1 respectively.[2] In 1965, following Southern Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence as Rhodesia, FIFA requested that the Football Association of Rhodesia reform to be a multi-racial organisation. Prior to this only white Rhodesians were selected for the national football team but after 1965 the team became multi-racial.[3] In 1969, Rhodesia took part in the Oceanic 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament. This was their first attempt to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Contrary to the team being viewed as the representative team of white Rhodesians, the team was multi-racial including black players.[4] They were drawn against the Australia national football team. Both legs were held in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique as the Rhodesian team were unable to get Australian visas. Rhodesia drew the first leg 1–1 but lost the second leg 3–1 thus eliminating Rhodesia from qualification.[4]

In 1980, following the country's reconstitution as Zimbabwe, they played their first FIFA World Cup qualifying match for 11 years against the Cameroon national football team. However they lost 2–1 on aggregate after a 1–0 win in the first leg in Salisbury and a 2–0 loss in the second leg.[5][6] Following this, the country passed a law that people who held British passports would not be permitted to hold a Zimbabwean passport, which mean that players such as goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar were not selected for the national team for 10 years.[7] Following a change in policy that allowed Grobbelaar to play for Zimbabwe, who entered the country on his British passport, Zimbabwe under manager Reinhard Fabisch were one match away from qualifying for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. However, they lost their final qualifying match to Cameroon.[7][8]

In 2004, Zimbabwe qualified for their first Africa Cup of Nations. During their first match against Egypt, their former anthem "Ishe Komborera Africa" was accidentally played instead of "Simudzai Mureza wedu weZimbabwe", an act which Information Minister Jonathan Moyo called "a cheap attempt by the organisers to demoralise our boys".[9]

In 2015, the Zimbabwe national football team were banned from participating in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying due to an unpaid debt to former coach, José Claudinei.[10] At the time, the team was experiencing its strongest period for many years, qualifying for both the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

On 1 March 2022, Zimbabwe, along with Kenya, was suspended again from international sport due to the interference of the government. Earlier in November 2021, Harare and Nairobi dissolved their federations and were replaced with government-officials. On 31 March, the suspension was made indefinitely and was ratified by FIFA. Suspension is set until Zimbabwe and Kenya meet the demands given by FIFA.

Kit provider
Kit provider Period
L-Sporto 2004–2005
Legea 2006–2009
Umbro 2013–2014
Joma 2015–2016
Mafro 2017–2018
Umbro 2019–present

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2021
3 September 2022 World Cup qualification Zimbabwe  0–0  South Africa Harare, Zimbabwe
15:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: National Sports Stadium
Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)
7 September 2022 World Cup qualification Ethiopia  1–0  Zimbabwe Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
19:00 UTC+3
  • Tamene 90+4' (pen.)
 Report Stadium: Bahir Dar Stadium
Referee: Bernard Camille (Seychelles)
9 October 2022 World Cup qualification Ghana  3–1  Zimbabwe Cape Coast, Ghana
16:00 UTC±0
  • Kudus 5'
  • Partey 66'
  • A. Ayew 87'
 Report
  • Musona 49' (pen.)
 Stadium: Cape Coast Sports Stadium
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
12 October 2022 World Cup qualification Zimbabwe  0–1  Ghana Harare, Zimbabwe
15:00 UTC+2 Report
  • Partey 31'
 Stadium: National Sports Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)
11 November 2022 World Cup qualification South Africa  1–0  Zimbabwe Johannesburg, South Africa
21:00 UTC+2
  • Mokoena 26'
 Report Stadium: FNB Stadium
Referee: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia)
14 November 2022 World Cup qualification Zimbabwe  1–1  Ethiopia Harare, Zimbabwe
15:00 UTC+2
  • Mahachi 38'
 Report
  • Nassir 86'
 Stadium: National Sports Stadium
Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)

2022
2 January Friendly Zimbabwe  0–0  Sudan
Report
10 January 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Senegal  1–0  Zimbabwe Bafoussam, Cameroon
  • Mané 90+7' (pen.)
 Report Stadium: Kouekong Stadium
Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
14 January 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Malawi  2–1  Zimbabwe Bafoussam, Cameroon
17:00
  • Mhango 43', 58'
 Report
  • Wadi 38'
 Stadium: Kouekong Stadium
Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania)
18 January 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Zimbabwe  2–1  Guinea Yaoundé, Cameroon
17:00
  • Musona 26'
  • Mahachi 43'
 Report
  • N. Keïta 49'
 Stadium: Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo
Referee: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)
9 June 2023 AFCON qualification Zimbabwe  Cancelled  Liberia Zimbabwe
13 June 2023 AFCON qualification South Africa  Cancelled  Zimbabwe Johannesburg, South Africa
Stadium: FNB Stadium
September 2023 AFCON qualification Morocco  Cancelled  Zimbabwe Morocco
--:-- UTC+1 Report
September 2023 AFCON qualification Zimbabwe  Cancelled  Morocco Zimbabwe
--:-- UTC+2 Report

2023
March 2023 AFCON qualification Liberia  Cancelled  Zimbabwe
March 2023 AFCON qualification Zimbabwe  Cancelled  South Africa

Coaching history
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • Danny McLennan (1965–1969)
  • Bill Asprey (1975–1978)
  • John Rugg (1978-1981)
  • Shepherd Murape (1981-1983)
  • Mick Poole (1983-1988)
  • Ben Koufie (1988–1992)
  • Reinhard Fabisch (1992–1995)
  • Rudi Gutendorf (1995–1996)
  • Ian Porterfield (1996–1997)
  • Sunday Chidzambwa (1997, 2000–2002, 2003–2004, 2008–2010), 2017–2019)
  • Bruce Grobbelaar (1997, 1998)
  • Roy Barreto (1997–1998)
  • Clemens Westerhof (1998–2000)
  • Misheck Chidzambwa (2000)
  • Wiesław Grabowski (2002)
  • Rahman Gumbo (2004)
  • Charles Mhlauri (2004–2007)
  • Sunday Chidzambwa (2007)
  • Norman Mapeza (2007)
  • José Claudinei (2008)
  • Norman Mapeza (2010, 2011–2012)
  • Tom Saintfiet (2010)
  • Madinda Ndlovu (2010–2011)
  • Norman Mapeza (2011–2012)
  • Rahman Gumbo (2012)
  • Klaus Dieter Pagels (2012–2013)
  • Ian Gorowa (2013–2014)
  • Callisto Pasuwa (2015–2017)
  • Norman Mapeza (2017, 2021–2022)
  • Wilson Mutekede (2017, 2022)
  • Joey Antipas (2019–2020)
  • Zdravko Logarušić (2020–2021)
  • Norman Mapeza (2021-2022)

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[11]

Caps and goals are correct as of 18 January 2022, after the match against Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
21 1GK Talbert Shumba (1990-05-12) 12 May 1990 11 0 Nkana
23 1GK Martin Mapisa (1998-05-25) 25 May 1998 2 0 Zamora
1 1GK Petros Mhari (1989-04-15) 15 April 1989 4 0 Platinum
14 2DF Onismor Bhasera (1986-01-07) 7 January 1986 44 0 SuperSport United
15 2DF Teenage Hadebe (1995-09-17) 17 September 1995 35 4 Houston Dynamo
6 2DF Alec Mudimu (1995-04-08) 8 April 1995 26 0 Torpedo Kutaisi
12 2DF Bruce Kangwa (1988-02-24) 24 February 1988 19 0 Azam
20 2DF Peter Muduhwa (1993-08-11) 11 August 1993 12 0 Highlanders
22 2DF Takudzwa Chimwemwe (1992-10-26) 26 October 1992 12 0 Nkana
3 2DF Jordan Zemura (1999-11-14) 14 November 1999 6 0 Bournemouth
2 2DF Godknows Murwira (1993-07-04) 4 July 1993 3 0 Platinum Stars
5 3MF Gushaz (1998-10-29) 29 October 1998 14 0 Ngezi Platinum
5 3MF Gerald Takwara (1994-10-29) 29 October 1994 14 0 Ngezi Platinum
16 3MF Kudakwashe Mahachi (1993-09-29) 29 September 1993 44 5 SuperSport United
13 3MF Thabani Kamusoko (1988-03-02) 2 March 1988 20 0 ZESCO United
4 3MF Kelvin Madzongwe (1990-05-01) 1 May 1990 9 0 Platinum
11 3MF Never Tigere (1990-12-16) 16 December 1990 6 1 Azam
7 3MF Ishmael Wadi (1992-12-19) 19 December 1992 6 1 JDR Stars
8 3MF Kundai Benyu (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 5 0 Vestri
17 4FW Knowledge Musona (1990-06-21) 21 June 1990 52 25 Al-Tai
10 4FW Tino Kadewere (1996-01-05) 5 January 1996 22 3 Mallorca
18 4FW Prince Dube (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 14 7 Azam
9 4FW David Moyo (1994-12-17) 17 December 1994 5 0 Hamilton Academical
19 4FW Admiral Muskwe (1998-08-21) 21 August 1998 6 1 Luton Town

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Zimbabwe in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Donovan Benard (1995-07-12) 12 July 1995 11 0 Chicken Inn v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
GK Taimon Mvula (1993-06-05) 5 June 1993 1 0 Dynamos v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
GK Washington Arubi (1985-08-29) 29 August 1985 29 0 Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v.  Ghana, 12 October 2021
DF Divine Lunga (1995-05-28) 28 May 1995 18 0 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
DF Tendayi Darikwa (1991-12-13) 13 December 1991 13 0 Wigan Athletic v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
DF Brendan Galloway (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 0 0 Plymouth Argyle v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
DF Rahman Kutsanzira (1990-05-25) 25 May 1990 4 0 Platinum v.  Ghana, 12 October 2021
DF Kelvin Moyo (1993-04-03) 3 April 1993 6 0 Nkana v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
DF William Stima (1989-03-29) 29 March 1989 0 0 Platinum v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
DF Jimmy Dzingai (1990-11-21) 21 November 1990 11 0 Nkana v.  South Africa, 3 September 2021 PRE
MF Khama Billiat (1990-08-19) 19 August 1990 48 17 Kaizer Chiefs v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021 RET
MF Marvelous Nakamba (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 23 0 Aston Villa v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Farai Madhanaga (1995-02-14) 14 February 1995 9 0 Marumo Gallants v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Blessing Sarupinda (1991-12-13) 13 December 1991 4 1 Sekhukhune United v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Jonah Fabisch (2001-08-13) 13 August 2001 0 0 Hamburger SV II v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Tawanda Maswanhise (2002-11-20) 20 November 2002 0 0 Leicester City v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Marshall Munetsi (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 22 1 Stade Reims v.  Ethiopia, 12 October 2021
MF Perfect Chikwende (1993-06-19) 19 June 1993 2 1 Simba v.  Ethiopia, 12 October 2021
MF Tafadzwa Rusike (1989-05-07) 7 May 1989 22 2 ZESCO United v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
MF Silas Songani (1989-06-28) 28 June 1989 11 0 Platinum v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
MF Butholezwe Ncube (1992-04-24) 24 April 1992 6 0 AmaZulu v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
MF Ovidy Karuru (1989-01-23) 23 January 1989 50 7 Black Leopards v.  South Africa, 3 September 2021 PRE
FW Knox Mutizwa (1993-10-12) 12 October 1993 18 6 Lamontville Golden Arrows v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
FW Macauley Bonne (1995-10-26) 26 October 1995 2 1 Ipswich Town v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
FW Terrence Dzvukamanja (1994-05-05) 5 May 1994 12 0 Orlando Pirates v.  Ghana, 12 October 2021

DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player has retired from international football.
SUS Suspended from the national team, red or yellow cards.

Records
As of 18 January 2022
Players in bold are still active with Zimbabwe.
Note: U indicates that a player's statistics are unverified.

Competition records

FIFA World Cup record
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970 Did not qualify from Asia/Oceania zone 3 0 2 1 2 4
1974 Did not enter Did not enter
1978
1982 Did not qualify from African zone 2 1 0 1 1 2
1986 2 0 1 1 1 2
1990 4 0 1 3 1 10
1994 10 6 2 2 11 10
1998 8 2 2 4 10 10
2002 8 6 0 2 11 6
2006 12 5 3 4 17 16
2010 6 1 3 2 4 6
2014 6 0 2 4 4 9
2018 Expelled from qualifying competition[12] Expelled from qualifying competition
2022 Did not qualify from African zone 812559
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total—0/22—————— 692218296784

Africa Cup of Nations record
Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 5
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1957 to 1980 Not affiliated to CAF
1982 to 2002 Did not qualify
2004 Group stage 14th 3 1 0 2 6 8
2006 13th 3 1 0 2 2 5
2008 to 2015 Did not qualify
2017 Group stage 14th 3 0 1 2 4 8
2019 21st 3 0 1 2 1 6
2021 17th 3 1 0 2 3 4
2023 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
2025 To be determined
Total Group stage 5/33 15 3 2 10 16 31

African Nations Championship record
African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 5
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
2009Group stage 6th303033
201111th310223
2014Fourth place4th623132
2016Group stage13th301213
2018Did not qualify
2020Group stage16th300315
2022Did not qualify
Total Fourth place 5/7 18 3 7 8 10 16

African Games record
Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.
African Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
1965—000000
1973—000000
1978—000000
1987—000000
1991–present See Zimbabwe national under-23 football team
Total4/4000000

COSAFA Cup record
  • 1997 – Qualifying round
  • 1998 – Second place
  • 1999 – Quarter-finals
  • 2000 – Winners
  • 2001 – Second place
  • 2002 – Quarter-finals
  • 2003 – Winners
  • 2004 – Semi-finals
  • 2005 – Winners
  • 2006 – Semi-finals
  • 2007 – First round
  • 2008 – Quarter-finals
  • 2009 – Winners
  • 2010 – Cancelled
  • 2013 – Second place
  • 2015 – Group stage
  • 2016 – Group stage
  • 2017 – Winners
  • 2018 – Winners
  • 2019 – Third place

COSAFA Cup
COSAFA Cup record
Year Rank Pld W D L GF GA
1997 0000000
1998 0000000
1999 0000000
2000 0000000
2001 0000000
2002 0000000
2003 0000000
2004 0000000
2005 0000000
2006 0000000
2007 0000000
2008 0000000
2009 0000000
2013 0000000
2015 0000000
2016 0000000
2017 0000000
2018 0000000
2019 0000000
Total 0/19 ------

CECAFA Cup record
  • 1981 – Group stage
  • 1982 – Third place
  • 1983 – Second place
  • 1984 – Group stage
  • 1985 – Winners
  • 1987 – Second place
  • 1988 – Fourth place
  • 1989 – Group stage
  • 1990 – Group stage
  • 2009 – Quarter-finals
  • 2011 – Quarter-finals

Honours
  • COSAFA Cup
    • Champions (6): 2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2017, 2018
    • Runners-up (3): 1998, 2001, 2013
  • CECAFA Cup
    • Champions (1): 1985
    • Runners-up (2): 1983, 1987

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  2. "England Matches – Unofficial". Englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  3. Gilchrist, Paul (2013). The Politics of Sport: Community, Mobility, Identity. Routledge. p. 51. ISBN 978-1317990994.
  4. "When Rhodesia flirted with the World Cup". FIFA.com. 29 August 2016. Archived from the original on 4 September 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  5. "Cameroon national football team: record v Zimbabwe". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises Limited. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  6. "1982 FIFA World Cup Spain – Matches – Zimbabwe-Cameroon". FIFA.com. 23 July 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  7. Hawkey, Ian. "When Peter Ndlovu and Bruce Grobbelaar made Zimbabwe dare to dream". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  8. "World Cup 1994 Qualifying". Rsssf. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  9. "Anger over Zimbabwe anthem gaffe". BBC News. 26 January 2004. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  10. "Zimbabwe expelled from 2018 World Cup". BBC Sport. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  11. "Afcon 2021: A Zimbabwe squad is named despite threat of a Fifa ban". BBC Sport. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  12. "Zimbabwe expelled from the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia". FIFA.com. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015.
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