By Batsirai Sango.
November 15, 2024 was a date with destiny for the nation’s number one team, the beloved Warriors, as they took on the Harambee stars of Kenya in a crunch Africa cup of Nations qualifiers decider.
A positive result for the Warriors would guarantee qualification whilst for Kenya to stay in contention for the 2025 tournament, a win at all costs would have been the most favorable result.
For all the negativity to rock Zimbabwean football, from the lowest point in the history of the country not to have a CAF approved venue to host international matches, the 2025 Afcon qualifiers campaign have been a ray of hope to the football loving fans.
Loyal the 12th man has been, with Zimbabwe expatriates turning out in considerable numbers at the venues in South Africa which has been home away from home for all the encounters the Warriors have had to host their opponents. Fans have shown the unfailing love they have and hold for the nation’s number one team, and it has also been inspiration to the boys who have given it their all in every encounter.
Coach Michael Nees has awoken in a very short space of time Zimbabwe football from almost international oblivion after the FIFA ban following government’s involvement into the national game, and the German gaffer is still yet to taste defeat in this qualifiers’ campaign.
Zimbabwe went into the tie against Kenya knowing either a win or draw would secure a place at Morrocco 2025 and prior to the match Coach Nees had mentioned how confidence was high in camp but emphasized also how the boys were not overly confident and had their feet to the ground.
Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane played host to the tie, and considering it was the home stadium for late Warriors shot stopper George zikeeper Chigova there even more motivation to honor his memory with a positive result at a venue he once called home. The match was swinging from one end to the other and in the 32nd minute Scottish side Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanise made a low shot from a Khama Billiat pass inside the box, with Kenyan goalie reacting late and into the lead the Warriors went.
Maswanise’s goal sent the fans into delirium and his celebration summed it all as he made the Julius Agahowa kind of celebration, the former Nigeria Super Eagles striker known for making somersaults each time he would score. The Warriors went into the break leading by that solitary strike from Maswanise and fans dared to dream.
The game would restart after the break and the Harambe stars would equalize in the 52nd minute, Zimbabwe would however hold on with the final whistle all but confirming the Warriors’ qualification to Morrocco 2025 with a game to spare.
Into the promised land the Warriors marched making the entire nation dream again.
