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Zimbabwe national football team facts for kids

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Zimbabwe
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) The Warriors
Association Zimbabwe Football Association
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Shepherd Murape
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 their 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 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.

Kit provider

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

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2021

2022

2023

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, 2022–present)
  • England Mick Poole (1985)
  • Ghana Ben Koufie (1988–1992)
  • Germany Reinhard Fabisch (1992–1995)
  • Germany Rudi Gutendorf (1995–1996)
  • Scotland Ian Porterfield (1996–1997)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (1997, 2000–2002, 2003–2004, 2008–2009), 2017–2019)
  • Zimbabwe Bruce Grobbelaar (1996, 1997, 1998)
  • Portugal Roy Barreto (1997–1998)
  • Netherlands Clemens Westerhof (1998–2000)
  • Zimbabwe Misheck Chidzambwa (2000)
  • Poland Wiesław Grabowski (2002)
  • Zimbabwe Rahman Gumbo (2004)
  • Zimbabwe Charles Mhlauri (2004–2007)
  • Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa (2007)
  • Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza (2007, 2021–2022)
  • Zimbabwe Luke Masomore (2007)
  • Brazil José Claudinei (2008)
  • Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza (2009-2010, 2011–2012)
  • Belgium Tom Saintfiet (2010)
  • Zimbabwe Madinda Ndlovu (2010–2011)
  • Zimbabwe Norman Mapeza (2011–2012)
  • Zimbabwe Rahman Gumbo (2012)
  • Northern Ireland Sean Connor (2012)
  • Germany Klaus Dieter Pagels (2012–2013)
  • Zimbabwe Ian Gorowa (2013–2014)
  • Zimbabwe Callisto Pasuwa (2015–2017)
  • Zimbabwe Wilson Mutekede (2017, 2022)
  • Zimbabwe Joey Antipas (2019–2020)
  • Croatia Zdravko Logarušić (2020–2021)
  • Zimbabwe Shepherd Murape (2022–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Caps and goals are correct as of 18 January 2022, after the match against Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
21 1GK Talbert Shumba (1990-05-12) 12 May 1990 (age 33) 11 0 Zambia Nkana
1 1GK Petros Mhari (1989-04-15) 15 April 1989 (age 34) 4 0 Zimbabwe Platinum
23 1GK Martin Mapisa (1998-05-25) 25 May 1998 (age 25) 2 0 Spain Zamora

14 2DF Onismor Bhasera (1986-01-07) 7 January 1986 (age 38) 44 0 South Africa SuperSport United
15 2DF Teenage Hadebe (1995-09-17) 17 September 1995 (age 28) 35 4 United States Houston Dynamo
6 2DF Alec Mudimu (1995-04-08) 8 April 1995 (age 28) 26 0 Wales Caernarfon Town
12 2DF Bruce Kangwa (1988-02-24) 24 February 1988 (age 36) 19 0 Tanzania Azam
20 2DF Peter Muduhwa (1993-08-11) 11 August 1993 (age 30) 12 0 Zambia Highlanders
22 2DF Takudzwa Chimwemwe (1992-10-26) 26 October 1992 (age 31) 12 0 Zambia Nkana
3 2DF Jordan Zemura (1999-11-14) 14 November 1999 (age 24) 6 0 England Bournemouth
2 2DF Godknows Murwira (1993-07-04) 4 July 1993 (age 30) 3 0 Zimbabwe Platinum Stars

16 3MF Kudakwashe Mahachi (1993-09-29) 29 September 1993 (age 30) 44 5 South Africa SuperSport United
13 3MF Thabani Kamusoko (1988-03-02) 2 March 1988 (age 36) 20 0 Zambia ZESCO United
5 3MF Gerald Takwara (1994-10-29) 29 October 1994 (age 29) 14 0 Saudi Arabia Ohod
4 3MF Kelvin Madzongwe (1990-05-01) 1 May 1990 (age 33) 9 0 Zimbabwe Platinum
11 3MF Never Tigere (1990-12-16) 16 December 1990 (age 33) 6 1 Tanzania Azam
7 3MF Ishmael Wadi (1992-12-19) 19 December 1992 (age 31) 6 1 South Africa JDR Stars
8 3MF Kundai Benyu (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 26) 5 0 Iceland ÍBV

17 4FW Knowledge Musona (1990-06-21) 21 June 1990 (age 33) 52 25 Saudi Arabia Al-Tai
10 4FW Tino Kadewere (1996-01-05) 5 January 1996 (age 28) 22 3 Spain Mallorca
18 4FW Prince Dube (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 (age 27) 14 7 Tanzania Azam
19 4FW Admiral Muskwe (1998-08-21) 21 August 1998 (age 25) 6 1 England Fleetwood Town
9 4FW David Moyo (1994-12-17) 17 December 1994 (age 29) 5 0 England Barrow

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 Donovan Benard (1995-07-12) 12 July 1995 (age 28) 11 0 Zimbabwe Chicken Inn v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
GK Taimon Mvula (1993-06-05) 5 June 1993 (age 30) 1 0 Zimbabwe Dynamos v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
GK Washington Arubi (1985-08-29) 29 August 1985 (age 38) 29 0 South Africa Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v.  Ghana, 12 October 2021

DF Divine Lunga (1995-05-28) 28 May 1995 (age 28) 18 0 South Africa Lamontville Golden Arrows v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
DF Tendayi Darikwa (1991-12-13) 13 December 1991 (age 32) 13 0 England Wigan Athletic v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
DF Brendan Galloway (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 28) 2 0 England Plymouth Argyle v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
DF Rahman Kutsanzira (1990-05-25) 25 May 1990 (age 33) 4 0 Zimbabwe Platinum v.  Ghana, 12 October 2021
DF Kelvin Moyo (1993-04-03) 3 April 1993 (age 30) 6 0 Zimbabwe Bulawayo Chiefs v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
DF William Stima (1989-03-29) 29 March 1989 (age 34) 0 0 Zimbabwe Platinum v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
DF Jimmy Dzingai (1990-11-21) 21 November 1990 (age 33) 11 0 Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad KC v.  South Africa, 3 September 2021 PRE

MF Khama Billiat (1990-08-19) 19 August 1990 (age 33) 48 17 South Africa Kaizer Chiefs v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021 RET
MF Marvelous Nakamba (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 (age 30) 23 0 England Aston Villa v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Farai Madhanaga (1995-02-14) 14 February 1995 (age 29) 9 0 South Africa Marumo Gallants v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Blessing Sarupinda (1991-12-13) 13 December 1991 (age 32) 5 1 Zimbabwe CAPS United v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Jonah Fabisch (2001-08-13) 13 August 2001 (age 22) 0 0 Germany Hamburger SV v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Tawanda Maswanhise (2002-11-20) 20 November 2002 (age 21) 0 0 England Leicester City v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
MF Marshall Munetsi (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 27) 22 1 France Stade Reims v.  Ethiopia, 12 October 2021
MF Perfect Chikwende (1993-06-19) 19 June 1993 (age 30) 2 1 Tanzania Simba v.  Ethiopia, 12 October 2021
MF Tafadzwa Rusike (1989-05-07) 7 May 1989 (age 34) 22 2 Zambia ZESCO United v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
MF Silas Songani (1989-06-28) 28 June 1989 (age 34) 11 0 Iceland Vestri v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
MF Butholezwe Ncube (1992-04-24) 24 April 1992 (age 31) 6 0 South Africa AmaZulu v.  Ethiopia, 7 September 2021
MF Ovidy Karuru (1989-01-23) 23 January 1989 (age 35) 50 7 Free agent v.  South Africa, 3 September 2021 PRE

FW Knox Mutizwa (1993-10-12) 12 October 1993 (age 30) 18 6 South Africa Lamontville Golden Arrows v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
FW Macauley Bonne (1995-10-26) 26 October 1995 (age 28) 2 1 England Queens Park Rangers v.  Ethiopia, 14 November 2021
FW Terrence Dzvukamanja (1994-05-05) 5 May 1994 (age 29) 12 0 South Africa Orlando Pirates v.  Ghana, 12 October 2021

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.
Note: U indicates that a player's statistics are unverified.

Competition records

FIFA World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962
England 1966
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
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 To be determined
Total 0/22 69 22 18 29 67 84

Africa Cup of Nations record

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
Guinea 2025 To be determined
Total Group stage 5/33 15 3 2 10 16 31

African Nations Championship record

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 record

Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.
African Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
1965-1987 DNE 0 0 0 0 0 0
1991–present See Zimbabwe national under-23 football team
Total 4/4 0 0 0 0 0 0

COSAFA Cup record

  • 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

COSAFA Cup

CECAFA Cup record

  • 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

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

See also

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

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Zimbabwe national football team Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.