GERMAN coach Michael Nees believes the Zimbabwe Warriors stand a chance of rising from the ashes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Warriors job exchanged hands during the first four World Cup qualification matches, from Baltermar Brito to Jairos Tapera.
First, they were under former Highlanders coach Brito who presided over two matches that ended in draws against Rwanda and Nigeria respectively.
Both matches were played in Rwanda. Manica Diamonds gaffer Tapera took over and was at the receiving end of two defeats to Lesotho and South Africa.
They lost 2-0 to Lesotho before falling 3-1 at the hands of Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Both matches were played in South Africa as Zimbabwe does not have a CAF-approved stadium at the moment.
Keep Reading
- Zifa pass on big opportunity
- Work cut out for new Warriors coach
- Say Nees, Romario implores Warriors fans
- All the best Nees, but…
However, after helping the Warriors to secure qualification to the 2025 AFCON finals, Nees has high hopes that World Cup hopes can be revived.
“The group has not been decided yet, and we have to see this as a new project. We have to try everything and hope to turn it around.
“We will also have to use these qualifiers as preparations for the 2025 Afcon, so I would say it is a double project," Nees said.
As it stands, Zimbabwe anchors Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with two points to show.
Benin, Rwanda, and South Africa, in that order, are tied on 7 points, the highest number of points in Group C.
Lesotho are fourth in the group, with five points followed by Nigeria who have 3 points.
Now, Ness plans to revive World Cup qualification hopes after winning the hearts of most Warriors faithful after AFCON qualification.
Meanwhile captain Marvelous Nakamba played the full 90 minutes for his club, Luton for the first time in 14 months.
Nakamba said his fitness improved after he lasted 90 minutes in both matches for the Warriors in the last international window.
He shared his delight at playing the full match in their win over Hull City at the weekend.
Nakamba returned to action in August having been injured playing for Zimbabwe in November last year.
“It was a fantastic feeling. It was good to be back with the boys in the national team, and also to qualify for the Nations Cup, it was great for the country," he told the club's media department.
“Of course, it really helped me playing a full 90 minutes with the national team, and coming back here also to give everything and play my first 90 minutes also in a long time.
“I think it really helped me, but also with the physical coaches here, they have been massive to me. They’ve been keeping me working hard in training, following the programme, everything. They have been there for me since day one.”