This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Zimbabwe women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Zimbabwe
|
Nickname(s) |
The Warriors |
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Association |
Zimbabwe Football Association |
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Confederation |
CAF (Africa) |
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Sub-confederation |
COSAFA (Southern Africa) |
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Head coach |
Shepherd Murape |
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Most caps |
Peter Ndlovu (81) |
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Top scorer |
Peter Ndlovu (37) |
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Home stadium |
National Sports Stadium |
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FIFA code |
ZIM |
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|
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FIFA ranking |
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Current |
113 1 (7 February 2019) |
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Highest |
39 (April 1994) |
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Lowest |
131 (October 2009, February–March 2016) |
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Elo ranking |
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Current |
90 2 (3 March 2019) |
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Highest |
56 (April 1995) |
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Lowest |
128 (March 2011) |
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First international |
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Southern Rhodesia 0–4 Northern Rhodesia
(Southern Rhodesia; 1946) |
Biggest win |
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Botswana 0–7 Zimbabwe
(Gaborone, Botswana; 26 August 1990) |
Biggest defeat |
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South Africa 7–0 Rhodesia
(South Africa; 9 April 1977) |
Africa Cup of Nations |
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Appearances |
5 (first in 2004) |
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Best result |
Group stage (2004, 2006, 2017, 2019, 2021) |
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African Nations Championship |
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Appearances |
5 (first in 2009) |
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Best result |
Fourth place (2014) |
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COSAFA Cup |
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Appearances |
20 (first in 1997) |
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Best result |
Champions (2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2017, 2018) |
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|
COSAFA Cup |
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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 |
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Gold |
1985 Zimbabwe |
|
Silver |
1983 Kenya |
|
Bronze |
1982 Uganda |
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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 |
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L-Sporto |
2004–2005 |
Legea |
2006–2009 |
Umbro |
2013–2014 |
Joma |
2015–2016 |
Mafro |
2017–2018 |
Umbro |
2019–present |
Results and fixtures
Main page: 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.
2021
2022 World Cup qualification 3 September |
Zimbabwe |
0–0 |
South Africa |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
|
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15:00 UTC+2 |
|
https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400198011 |
|
Stadium: National Sports Stadium
Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)
|
|
2022 World Cup qualification 7 September |
Ethiopia |
1–0 |
Zimbabwe |
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia |
|
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19:00 UTC+3 |
|
https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400198010 |
|
Stadium: Bahir Dar Stadium
Referee: Bernard Camille (Seychelles)
|
|
2022 World Cup qualification 9 October |
Ghana |
3–1 |
Zimbabwe |
Cape Coast, Ghana |
|
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16:00 UTC±0 |
- Kudus 5'
- Partey 66'
- A. Ayew 87'
|
https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400204258 |
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Stadium: Cape Coast Sports Stadium
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
|
|
2022 World Cup qualification 12 October |
Zimbabwe |
0–1 |
Ghana |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
|
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15:00 UTC+2 |
|
https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400204260 |
- Partey 31'
|
Stadium: National Sports Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)
|
|
2022 World Cup qualification 11 November |
South Africa |
1–0 |
Zimbabwe |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
|
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21:00 UTC+2 |
- Mokoena 26'
|
https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400209492 |
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Stadium: FNB Stadium
Referee: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia)
|
|
2022 World Cup qualification 14 November |
Zimbabwe |
1–1 |
Ethiopia |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
|
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15:00 UTC+2 |
- Mahachi 38'
|
https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400209491 |
- Nassir 86'
|
Stadium: National Sports Stadium
Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)
|
|
2022
Friendly 2 January |
Zimbabwe |
0–0 |
Sudan |
|
|
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https://www.darelhilal.com/News/1166709.aspx |
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2021 Africa Cup of Nations 10 January |
Senegal |
1–0 |
Zimbabwe |
Bafoussam, Cameroon |
|
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|
|
https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243256/match-report |
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Stadium: Kouekong Stadium
Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
|
|
2021 Africa Cup of Nations 14 January |
Malawi |
2–1 |
Zimbabwe |
Bafoussam, Cameroon |
|
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17:00 |
- Mhango 43', 58'
|
https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243259/match-report |
- Wadi 38'
|
Stadium: Kouekong Stadium
Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania)
|
|
2021 Africa Cup of Nations 18 January |
Zimbabwe |
2–1 |
Guinea |
Yaoundé, Cameroon |
|
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17:00 |
- Musona 26'
- Mahachi 43'
|
https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243260/match-report |
|
Stadium: Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo
Referee: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)
|
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2023 AFCON qualification 9 June |
Zimbabwe |
Cancelled |
Liberia |
Zimbabwe |
|
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2023 AFCON qualification September |
Morocco |
Cancelled |
Zimbabwe |
Morocco |
|
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--:-- UTC+1 |
|
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/morocco/zimbabwe/3783086/ |
|
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2023 AFCON qualification September |
Zimbabwe |
Cancelled |
Morocco |
Zimbabwe |
|
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--:-- UTC+2 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/zimbabwe/morocco/3783088/ |
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2023
2023 AFCON qualification March |
Liberia |
Cancelled |
Zimbabwe |
|
|
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|
|
|
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2023 AFCON qualification March |
Zimbabwe |
Cancelled |
South Africa |
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|
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|
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Coaching history
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
- Danny McLennan (1965–1969)
- Bill Asprey (1975–1977)
- John Rugg (1980-1981)
- Shepherd Murape (1981–1983, 2022–present)
- Mick Poole (1985)
- Ben Koufie (1988–1992)
- Reinhard Fabisch (1992–1995)
- Rudi Gutendorf (1995–1996)
- Ian Porterfield (1996–1997)
- Sunday Chidzambwa (1997, 2000–2002, 2003–2004, 2008–2009), 2017–2019)
- Bruce Grobbelaar (1996, 1997, 1998)
- Roy Barreto (1997–1998)
- Clemens Westerhof (1998–2000)
- Misheck Chidzambwa (2000)
- Wiesław Grabowski (2002)
- Rahman Gumbo (2004)
- Charles Mhlauri (2004–2007)
- Sunday Chidzambwa (2007)
- Norman Mapeza (2007, 2021–2022)
- Luke Masomore (2007)
- José Claudinei (2008)
- Norman Mapeza (2009-2010, 2011–2012)
- Tom Saintfiet (2010)
- Madinda Ndlovu (2010–2011)
- Norman Mapeza (2011–2012)
- Rahman Gumbo (2012)
- Sean Connor (2012)
- Klaus Dieter Pagels (2012–2013)
- Ian Gorowa (2013–2014)
- Callisto Pasuwa (2015–2017)
- Wilson Mutekede (2017, 2022)
- Joey Antipas (2019–2020)
- Zdravko Logarušić (2020–2021)
- 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.
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for Zimbabwe in the last 12 months.
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 |
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–present |
8 |
Ovidy Karuru |
50 |
7 |
2007–present |
9 |
Ronald Sibanda |
49 |
3 |
1997–2007 |
10 |
Onismor Bhasera |
44 |
0 |
2006–present |
Tapuwa Kapini |
44 |
0 |
2001–2013 |
Kudakwashe Mahachi |
44 |
5 |
2013–present |
|
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 |
27 |
52 |
0.44 |
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 |
|
- 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 |
---|
1930 |
Part of United Kingdom |
Part of United Kingdom |
1934 |
1938 |
1950 |
1954 |
1958 |
1962 |
1966 |
1970 |
Did not qualify from Asia/Oceania zone |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1974 |
Did not enter |
Did not enter |
1978 |
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 |
Expelled from qualifying competition |
2022 |
Did not qualify from African zone |
8 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
9 |
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 |
---|
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 |
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 |
---|
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 record
- Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.
See also: Zimbabwe national under-23 football team
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
Main page: 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
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Zimbabue para niños