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Zimbabwe national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Zimbabwe women's national football team.
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Zimbabwe
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) The Warriors
Association Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Michael Nees
Captain Marshall Munetsi
Most caps Peter Ndlovu (81)
Top scorer Peter Ndlovu (37)
Home stadium National Sports Stadium
FIFA code ZIM
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 113 Increase 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 39 (April 1994)
Lowest 131 (October 2009, February–March 2016)
Elo ranking
Current 90 Decrease 2 (3 March 2019)
Highest 56 (April 1995)
Lowest 128 (March 2011)
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)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Gold 2000 Southern Africa
Gold 2003 Southern Africa
Gold 2005 Southern Africa
Gold 2009 Zimbabwe
Gold 2017 South Africa
Gold 2018 South Africa
Silver 1998 Southern Africa
Silver 2001 Southern Africa
Silver 2013 Zambia Team
Bronze 2019 South Africa
CECAFA Cup
Gold 1985 Zimbabwe
Silver 1983 Kenya
Bronze 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 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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, were not selected for the national team for 10 years. 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.

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".

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. 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

Kit provider Period
Italy L-Sporto 2004–2005
Italy Legea 2006–2009
Germany Puma 2010–2012
England Umbro 2013–2014
Spain Joma 2015–2016
Singapore Mafro 2017–2018
England Umbro 2019–2022
Germany Puma 2023–present

Results and fixtures

Main article: Zimbabwe national football team results (2020–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

2023

2024

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • Scotland Danny McLennan (1965–1969)
  • England Bill Asprey (1975–1977)
  • Scotland John Rugg (1980–1981)
  • Zimbabwe Shepherd Murape (1981–1983)
  • England Mick Poole (1985)
  • Ghana Ben Koufie (1988–1992)
  • Germany Reinhard Fabisch (1992–1995)
  • Germany Rudi Gutendorf (1995–1996)
  • Zimbabwe Bruce Grobbelaar (1996)
  • Scotland Ian Porterfield (1996–1997)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (1997)
  • Zimbabwe Bruce Grobbelaar (1997)
  • Portugal Roy Barreto (1997–1998)
  • Zimbabwe Bruce Grobbelaar (1998)
  • Netherlands Clemens Westerhof (1998–2000)
  • Zimbabwe Misheck Chidzambwa (2000)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (2000–2002)
  • Poland Wiesław Grabowski (2002)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (2003–2004)
  • Zimbabwe Rahman Gumbo (2004)
  • Zimbabwe Charles Mhlauri (2004–2007)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (2007)
  • Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza (2007)
  • Zimbabwe Luke Masomore (2007–2008)
  • Brazil José Claudinei (2008)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (2008–2009)
  • Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza (2009–2010)
  • Belgium Tom Saintfiet (2010)
  • Zimbabwe Madinda Ndlovu (2010–2011)
  • Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza (2011–2012)
  • Zimbabwe Rahman Gumbo (2012)
  • Germany Klaus Dieter Pagels (2012–2013)
  • Zimbabwe Ian Gorowa (2013–2014)
  • Zimbabwe Callisto Pasuwa (2015–2017)
  • Zimbabwe Wilson Mutekede (2017)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (2017–2019)
  • Zimbabwe Joey Antipas (2019–2020)
  • Croatia Zdravko Logarušić (2020–2021)
  • Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza (2021–2022)
  • Zimbabwe Wilson Mutekede (2022)
  • Zimbabwe Shepherd Murape (2022–2023)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (2023)
  • Brazil Baltemar Brito (2023–2024)
  • Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza (2024)
  • Zimbabwe Jairos Tapera (2024–2024)
  • Germany Michael Nees (2024–)

Coaching staff

Head coach Germany Michael Nees
Assistant coaches Zimbabwe Harold Ngwenya
Zimbabwe Creedence Zinyemba
Goalkeeping coach Zimbabwe Austin Chigwedere
Fitness Coach Zimbabwe Donald Mupfumi
Match Analyst Zimbabwe Kingsley Chirwa
Doctors Zimbabwe Dr. Takunda Mavhunga
Zimbabwe Dr. John Chikokore
Physiotherapists Zimbabwe James Chikanga
Zimbabwe Kathleen Mkhize
Zimbabwe David Nyamuzihwa
Zimbabwe Richard Mupanga
Team coordinator Zimbabwe Preston Nyoni
Technical director Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Kenya and Cameroon on 6 and 10 September 2024.

Caps and goals are correct as of 11 June 2024, after the match against South Africa.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Washington Arubi (1985-08-29) 29 August 1985 (age 39) 30 0 South Africa Marumo Gallants
1GK Bernard Donovan (1995-07-12) 12 July 1995 (age 29) 6 0 Zimbabwe Chicken Inn
1GK Marley Tavaziva (2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 20) 0 0 England Brentford B
2DF Teenage Hadebe (1995-09-17) 17 September 1995 (age 29) 40 4 United States Cincinnati
2DF Gerald Takwara (1994-10-29) 29 October 1994 (age 30) 20 0 Iraq Al-Minaa
2DF Andrew Mbeba (2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 (age 24) 7 0 Zimbabwe Highlanders
2DF Godknows Murwira (1993-07-04) 4 July 1993 (age 31) 6 0 Zimbabwe CAPS United
2DF Munashe Garananga (2001-01-18) 18 January 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Denmark Copenhagen
2DF Brendan Galloway (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 28) 3 0 England Plymouth Argyle
2DF Emmanuel Jalai (1999-01-06) 6 January 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Zimbabwe Dynamos
3MF Marshall Munetsi (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 28) 29 1 France Stade de Reims
3MF Richard Hachiro (1998-01-27) 27 January 1998 (age 26) 12 0 Zimbabwe Ngezi Platinum
3MF Walter Musona (1995-12-12) 12 December 1995 (age 29) 10 2 Zimbabwe Simba Bhora
3MF Jordan Zemura (1999-11-14) 14 November 1999 (age 25) 10 0 Italy Udinese
3MF Brian Banda (1995-09-09) 9 September 1995 (age 29) 7 0 Zimbabwe Platinum
3MF Andy Rinomhota (1997-04-21) 21 April 1997 (age 27) 5 0 Wales Cardiff City
3MF Daniel Msendami (2000-10-24) 24 October 2000 (age 24) 4 0 South Africa Marumo Gallants
3MF Tawanda Maswanhise (2002-11-20) 20 November 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Scotland Motherwell
3MF Tawanda Chirewa (2003-10-11) 11 October 2003 (age 21) 2 1 England Wolverhampton Wanderers
4FW Tino Kadewere (1996-01-05) 5 January 1996 (age 28) 27 3 France Nantes
4FW Prince Dube (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 (age 27) 16 7 Tanzania Young Africans
4FW Obriel Chirinda (1997-01-28) 28 January 1997 (age 27) 6 1 Zimbabwe Ngezi Platinum
4FW Douglas Mapfumo (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 24) 1 0 South Africa Polokwane City

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 Raphael Pitisi (2002-10-16) 16 October 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Zimbabwe Highlanders 2024 COSAFA Cup
GK Joseph Kaunda (2005-09-04) 4 September 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Zimbabwe Manica Diamonds 2024 COSAFA Cup
GK Martin Mapisa (1998-05-25) 25 May 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Zimbabwe Dynamos v.  South Africa; 11 June 2024
GK Godfrey Chitsumba (1998-09-18) 18 September 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Zimbabwe Manica Diamonds v.  South Africa; 11 June 2024
DF Malvern Hativagoni (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Zimbabwe Bulawayo Chiefs 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Tawanda Chisi (2000-11-14) 14 November 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Zimbabwe Manica Diamonds 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Shane Maroodza (2004-05-18) 18 May 2004 (age 20) 0 0 England Huddersfield Town 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Isheanesu Mauchi 0 0 Zimbabwe Simba Bhora 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Divine Lunga (1995-05-28) 28 May 1995 (age 29) 23 0 South Africa Mamelodi Sundowns v.  South Africa; 11 June 2024
DF Peter Muduhwa (1993-08-11) 11 August 1993 (age 31) 14 0 Zimbabwe Highlanders v.  Kenya; 26 March 2024
DF Frank Makarati (1994-03-14) 14 March 1994 (age 30) 1 0 Zimbabwe Dynamos v.  Nigeria; 19 November 2023
MF Tatenda Tavengwa (1997-03-29) 29 March 1997 (age 27) 4 0 South Africa Venda 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Donald Mudadi (1996-03-02) 2 March 1996 (age 28) 2 0 Zimbabwe Dynamos 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Joey Phuthi (2005-01-02) 2 January 2005 (age 19) 1 0 England Sheffield Wednesday 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Juan Mutudza (1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Zimbabwe Platinum 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Tinotenda Meke 0 0 Zimbabwe Green Fuel 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Kingsley Mureremba (2005-01-19) 19 January 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Zimbabwe CAPS United 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF McKinnon Mushore (2000-07-27) 27 July 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Zimbabwe Highlanders 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Panashe Mutimbanyoka (2002-02-21) 21 February 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Zimbabwe Platinum 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Tivonge Rushesha (2002-07-24) 24 July 2002 (age 22) 0 0 England Reading v.  South Africa; 11 June 2024
MF Marvelous Nakamba (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 (age 30) 28 0 England Luton Town v.  Nigeria; 19 November 2023
MF Tanaka Shandirwa (1999-12-04) 4 December 1999 (age 25) 3 0 Zimbabwe Dynamos v.  Nigeria; 19 November 2023
FW Takunda Benhura (2001-07-31) 31 July 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Zimbabwe Ngezi Platinum 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Washington Mapuwa 1 0 Zimbabwe Green Fuel 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Never Rauzhi 1 0 Zimbabwe Bulawayo Chiefs 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Michael Tapera (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 26) 1 1 Zimbabwe Manica Diamonds 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Tymon Machope (1993-07-03) 3 July 1993 (age 31) 2 0 Zimbabwe Simba Bhora v.  South Africa; 11 June 2024
FW Terrence Dzvukamanja (1994-05-05) 5 May 1994 (age 30) 16 0 South Africa SuperSport United v.  Nigeria; 19 November 2023
FW Admiral Muskwe (1998-08-21) 21 August 1998 (age 26) 7 1 England Exeter City v.  Nigeria; 19 November 2023

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

Players in bold are still active with Zimbabwe.

Most appearances

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
Khama Billiat 57 18 2011–present
5 Esrom Nyandoro 56 4 2001–2012
6 Dumisani Mpofu 52 0 1996–2006
Knowledge Musona 52 25 2010–2022
8 Ovidy Karuru 50 7 2007–2021
9 Ronald Sibanda 49 3 1997–2007
10 Onismor Bhasera 45 0 2006–2022
Note: U indicates that a player's statistics are unverified.

Top goalscorers

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 2010–2022
4 Agent Sawu 18 57 0.32 1990–2004
Khama Billiat 18 57 0.32 2011–present
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 Stanley Ndunduma 9 17 0.53 1983–1989
Cuthbert Malajila 9 32 0.28 2008–2017

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1962 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
as  Rhodesia as  Rhodesia
England 1966 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify from Asia/Oceania zone 3 0 2 1 2 4
West Germany 1974 Did not enter Did not enter
Argentina 1978
as  Zimbabwe as  Zimbabwe
Spain 1982 Did not qualify from African zone 2 1 0 1 1 2
Mexico 1986 2 0 1 1 1 2
Italy 1990 4 0 1 3 1 10
United States 1994 10 6 2 2 11 10
France 1998 8 2 2 4 10 10
South Korea Japan 2002 8 6 0 2 11 6
Germany 2006 12 5 3 4 17 16
South Africa 2010 6 1 3 2 4 6
Brazil 2014 6 0 2 4 4 9
Russia 2018 Expelled from qualifying competition Expelled from qualifying competition
Qatar 2022 Did not qualify from African zone 8 1 2 5 5 9
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 0 2 2 2 6
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total — 0/15 — — — — — — 73 22 20 31 69 90

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 5
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to Nigeria 1980 Not affiliated to CAF
Libya 1982 to Mali 2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia 2004 Group stage 14th 3 1 0 2 6 8
Egypt 2006 13th 3 1 0 2 2 5
Ghana 2008 to Equatorial Guinea 2015 Did not qualify
Gabon 2017 Group stage 14th 3 0 1 2 4 8
Egypt 2019 21st 3 0 1 2 1 6
Cameroon 2021 17th 3 1 0 2 3 4
Ivory Coast 2023 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Morocco 2025 To be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027
2029
Total Group stage 5/34 15 3 2 10 16 31

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 5
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Group stage 6th 3 0 3 0 3 3
Sudan 2011 11th 3 1 0 2 2 3
South Africa 2014 Fourth place 4th 6 2 3 1 3 2
Rwanda 2016 Group stage 13th 3 0 1 2 1 3
Morocco 2018 Did not qualify
Cameroon 2020 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 1 5
Algeria 2022 Did not qualify
Total Fourth place 5/7 18 3 7 8 10 16

African Games

African Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
1965–1987 Did not enter
1991–present See Zimbabwe national under-23 football team
Total 4/4 0 0 0 0 0 0

COSAFA Cup

  • 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
  • 2020 – Cancelled
  • 2021 – Group stage

CECAFA Cup

  • 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

Intercontinental

  • Afro-Asian Games
    • Bronze Medal (1): 2003

Regional

  • COSAFA Cup
    • Champions (6): 2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2017, 2018
    • Runners-up (3): 1998, 2001, 2013
    • Third place (1): 2019
  • CECAFA Cup
    • Champions (1): 1985
    • Runners-up (2): 1983, 1987
    • Third place (1): 1982

Minor competitions

  • Four Nations Football Tournament
    • Runners-up (1): 2024

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Zimbabue para niños

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