THE Warriors will be looking for nothing short of victory when they take on joint log leaders Benin in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, this evening.
The match kicks off at 6pm.
Currently anchored at the bottom of the standings with just two points from four matches, Zimbabwe will be looking to close the gap on Benin, who have seven points in the race for the World Cup ticket along with South Africa and Rwanda in Group C.
Benin are currently ranked higher than Zimbabwe on the Fifa World Ranking in 93rd place and 21st in Africa, while the Warriors are in 121st place globally and 33 on the continent.
A defeat for Zimbabwe will all but extinguish their hopes of making it to the next World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Coach Michael Nees knows that a win will be crucial in reviving the country’s slim hopes for a maiden appearance at the global competition.
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“Everybody knows it’s the restart of the world cup qualifications which was interrupted by the Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations] qualifiers and four games have already been played in that qualification before my time and there are six remaining games and every match counts,” he said.
“There are 18 points to play for, Benin are among the trio on top of the table. It’s clear that if we want to get closer to them we have to have a positive result.
“I think we are confident going into this match without being over confident without being overconfident with focus and concentration to bring our best we can be successful.”
Captain Marshall Munetsi is confident that the team has found its footing since the arrival of their German mentor, Nees, who successfully guided the team to the 2025 Afcon finals.
“I think we didn’t start well. We had a rebuilding phase, especially in the first two World Cup qualifying windows, but I think since our coach Michael Nees came on board, we have progressed very well and we are really confident,” the Warriors skipper said.
“I think we have been doing quite well and I think now, we are confident going into this game and we would want to continue building up and also looking forward to facing a tough opponent because they (Benin) are on seven points for a reason.
“They are one of the teams that are in form also, so I think we are going to take it as seriously as we would do any other games.
“So we just need to make sure that we capitalise our home advantage far away from home and make sure that we make our people proud.”
With a galaxy of stars in his team, Nees will be under pressure to pick the winning team.
Former captain Knowledge Musona has also returned to the squad and will be looking to immediately break into the starting line-up.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Munashe Garananga, Gerald Takwara, Jordan Zemura, Munetsi, Khama Billiat, Andy Rinomhota and Tawanda Maswanhise are almost guaranteed a starting place in the team.
Tawanda Chirewa, Musona and Prince Dube could also get the nod in the starting line up.
Group C also includes Lesotho and Nigeria.
