Nickname(s) | The Warriors | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | |||
Head coach | Norman Mapeza (Interim) | |||
Captain | Marvelous Nakamba | |||
Most caps | Peter Ndlovu (81) | |||
Top scorer | Peter Ndlovu (37) | |||
Home stadium | National Sports Stadium | |||
FIFA code | ZIM | |||
| ||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 122 2 (4 April 2024) [1] | |||
Highest | 39 (April 1994) | |||
Lowest | 131 (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 | ||||
Appearances | 5 (first in 2004 ) | |||
Best result | Group stage (2004, 2006, 2017, 2019, 2021) | |||
African Nations Championship | ||||
Appearances | 5 (first in 2009 ) | |||
Best result | Fourth place (2014) | |||
COSAFA Cup | ||||
Appearances | 20 (first in 1997 ) | |||
Best result | Champions (2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2017, 2018) | |||
Four Nations Football Tournament | ||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2024 ) | |||
Best result | Runner-up (2024) | |||
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).
Southern Rhodesia played their first official match against the England Amateur national football team as part of the latter's 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, who is considered to be Zimbabwe's greatest goalkeeper, [7] were not selected for the national team for 10 years. [8] 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. [8] [9]
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". [10]
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. [11] 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. The team has produced some of the finest footballers the likes of the legendary Peter Ndlovu who played for Zimbabwe 100 times. He featured in the English premier for Coventry City, Birmingham City, Sheffield United and Huddersfield. Peter Ndlovu is well remembered for the hatrick he scored at Anfield against Liverpool, Bruce Grobelaar former Liverpool Goalkeeper, Norman Mapeza former Galatasary defender, Benjan Mwaruwaru former Man city player. Knowledge Musona former Anderletch and Bundesliga player. Khama Billiat former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs player.
Kit provider | Period |
---|---|
L-Sporto | 2004–2005 |
Legea | 2006–2009 |
Puma | 2010–2012 |
Umbro | 2013–2014 |
Joma | 2015–2016 |
Mafro | 2017–2018 |
Umbro | 2019–2022 |
Puma | 2023–present |
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
4 September Friendly | Zimbabwe | 2–2 (5–4 p) | Namibia | Harare, Zimbabwe |
Report | Stadium: National Sports Stadium |
30 September Friendly | Botswana | 1–1 (4–3 p) | Zimbabwe | Gaborone, Botswana |
16:00 UTC+2 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Botswana National Stadium |
15 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Rwanda | 0–0 | Zimbabwe | Butare, Rwanda |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Stade Huye Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger) |
19 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Zimbabwe | 1–1 | Nigeria | Butare, Rwanda |
15:00 UTC+2 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Stade Huye Attendance: 2,876 Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti) |
The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Rwanda and Nigeria on 15 and 19 November 2023. [12]
Caps and goals are correct as of 19 November 2023, after the match against Nigeria.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Donovan Bernard | 12 July 1995 | 3 | 0 | Chicken Inn |
16 | GK | Washington Arubi | 29 August 1985 | 30 | 0 | SuperSport United |
22 | GK | Martin Mapisa | 25 May 1998 | 2 | 0 | Málaga City |
3 | DF | Jordan Zemura | 14 November 1999 | 7 | 0 | Udinese |
4 | DF | Munashe Garananga | 18 January 2001 | 1 | 0 | Mechelen |
5 | DF | Frank Makarati | 14 March 1994 | 1 | 0 | Dynamos |
15 | DF | Teenage Hadebe | 17 September 1995 | 37 | 4 | Houston Dynamo |
19 | DF | Divine Lunga | 28 May 1995 | 20 | 0 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
21 | DF | Peter Muduhwa | 11 August 1993 | 14 | 0 | Highlanders |
23 | DF | Andrew Mbeba | 19 February 2000 | 6 | 0 | Highlanders |
20 | DF | Tivonge Rushesha | 24 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | Reading |
2 | MF | Gerald Takwara | 29 October 1994 | 16 | 0 | Ohod |
6 | MF | Brian Banda | 9 September 1995 | 7 | 0 | Platinum |
7 | MF | Tanaka Shandirwa | 4 December 1999 | 3 | 0 | Dynamos |
8 | MF | Marshall Munetsi | 22 June 1996 | 25 | 1 | Stade de Reims |
10 | MF | Andy Rinomhota | 21 April 1997 | 1 | 0 | Cardiff City |
18 | MF | Marvelous Nakamba | 19 January 1994 | 28 | 0 | Luton Town |
9 | FW | Terrence Dzvukamanja | 5 May 1994 | 16 | 0 | SuperSport United |
11 | FW | Tino Kadewere | 5 January 1996 | 24 | 3 | Nantes |
12 | FW | Walter Musona | 12 December 1995 | 6 | 1 | Platinum |
13 | FW | Obriel Chirinda | 28 January 1997 | 6 | 1 | Bulawayo Chiefs |
14 | FW | Prince Dube | 17 February 1997 | 16 | 7 | Azam |
17 | FW | Admiral Muskwe | 21 August 1998 | 7 | 1 | Exeter City |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Peter Ndlovu | 81 | 37 | 1991–2007 |
2 | John Phiri U | 62 | 1 | 1983–1997 |
3 | Adam Ndlovu | 57 | 34 | 1990–2004 |
4 | Esrom Nyandoro | 56 | 4 | 2001–2012 |
5 | Dumisani Mpofu | 52 | 0 | 1996–2006 |
Knowledge Musona | 52 | 25 | 2010–present | |
7 | Khama Billiat | 51 | 17 | 2011–2021 |
8 | Ovidy Karuru | 50 | 7 | 2007–2021 |
9 | Ronald Sibanda | 49 | 3 | 1997–2007 |
10 | Onismor Bhasera | 45 | 0 | 2006–present |
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Peter Ndlovu | 37 | 81 | 0.46 | 1991–2007 |
2 | Adam Ndlovu | 34 | 57 | 0.6 | 2010–2012 |
3 | Knowledge Musona | 25 | 52 | 0.48 | 2010–present |
4 | Agent Sawu | 18 | 57 | 0.32 | 1990–2004 |
5 | Khama Billiat | 17 | 48 | 0.35 | 2011–2021 |
6 | Vitalis Takawira | 12 | 30 | 0.4 | 1992–1998 |
7 | Luke Jukulile | 10 | 15 | 0.67 | 2000–2001 |
Benjani Mwaruwari | 10 | 42 | 0.24 | 1999–2010 | |
9 | Cuthbert Malajila | 9 | 32 | 0.28 | 2008–2017 |
10 | Gilbert Mushangazhike | 8 | 26 | 0.31 | 1997–2008 |
Benjamin Nkonjera | 8 | 28 | 0.29 | 1993–1998 | |
FIFA World Cup | Qualification | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | F | A | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | ||
1930 to 1962 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||
as Rhodesia | as Rhodesia | |||||||||||||||
1966 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1970 | Did not qualify from Asia/Oceania zone | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
1974 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1978 | ||||||||||||||||
as Zimbabwe | as Zimbabwe | |||||||||||||||
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 [14] | Expelled from qualifying competition | ||||||||||||||
2022 | Did not qualify from African zone | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 9 | |||||||||
2026 | To be determined | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
2030 | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
2034 | ||||||||||||||||
Total | — | 0/15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 71 | 22 | 20 | 29 | 68 | 85 |
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 | |||||||
2027 | ||||||||
2029 | ||||||||
2031 | ||||||||
2033 | ||||||||
2035 | ||||||||
2037 | ||||||||
Total | Group stage | 5/41 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 31 |
African Nations Championship record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 5 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
2009 | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
2011 | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
2014 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
2016 | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
2018 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2020 | Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
2022 | Did not qualify | |||||||
Total | Fourth place | 5/7 | 18 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 16 |
African Games | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1965-1987 | DNE | |||||||
1991–present | See Zimbabwe national under-23 football team | |||||||
Total | 4/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bruce David Grobbelaar is a Zimbabwean former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, most prominently for English team Liverpool between 1981 and 1994, and for the Zimbabwean national team. He is remembered for his gymnastic-like athletic ability, unflappable confidence and eccentric and flamboyant style of play, as well as his rushing ability, which has led pundits to compare him retrospectively to the sweeper-keepers of the modern era.
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