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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
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 6 (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
Zimbabwe national football team, 2009
Image of the Zimbabwe national football team in 2009

The Zimbabwe national football team, known as The Warriors, plays football for Zimbabwe. The team is managed by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA). They have never played in the FIFA World Cup finals. However, they have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations six times. Zimbabwe has also won the COSAFA Cup six times. The team is part of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History of the Warriors

The team, then called Southern Rhodesia, played its first official match in June 1929. They lost to the England Amateur team. In 1965, after Southern Rhodesia became Rhodesia, FIFA asked their football association to include players of all races. Before this, only white players were chosen. After 1965, the team became multi-racial.

In 1969, Rhodesia tried to qualify for the 1970 FIFA World Cup for the first time. They played against Australia. Both games were held in Mozambique because the Rhodesian team could not get visas for Australia. Rhodesia tied one game but lost the other, so they did not qualify.

In 1980, the country became Zimbabwe. They played their first World Cup qualifying match in 11 years against Cameroon. They lost the match overall. Later, a rule meant players with British passports could not have Zimbabwean passports. This stopped great players like goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar from playing for 10 years. After the rule changed, Grobbelaar could play again. In 1994, Zimbabwe almost qualified for the World Cup but lost their final game to Cameroon.

In 2004, Zimbabwe qualified for their first Africa Cup of Nations. In 2015, the team was banned from the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying games. This was because of an unpaid debt to a former coach. Even with this, the team was playing very well. They qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

On March 1, 2022, FIFA suspended Zimbabwe from international football. This happened because the government was involved in how the football association was run. The suspension was made permanent on March 31, 2022. It will last until Zimbabwe meets FIFA's rules.

Zimbabwe has produced many talented footballers. These include the legendary Peter Ndlovu, who played 81 times for Zimbabwe. He played for English clubs like Coventry City and Liverpool. Other famous players are Bruce Grobbelaar, Norman Mapeza, Benjani Mwaruwari, Knowledge Musona, and Khama Billiat.

Team Uniforms

The team has had different kit providers over the years.

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

Recent Matches and Future Games

Main article: Zimbabwe national football team results (2020–present)

Here are the results from the last year and some upcoming matches.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

23 March Friendly Zambia  2–2
(5–6 p)		  Zimbabwe Lilongwe, Malawi
Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
26 March Friendly Zimbabwe  1–3  Kenya Lilongwe, Malawi
Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
7 June 2026 World Cup qualification Zimbabwe  0–2  Lesotho Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
  • Rasethuntša Goal 21'
  • Thabantso Goal 31'
 Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)
11 June 2026 World Cup qualification South Africa  3–1  Zimbabwe Bloemfontein, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
  • Rayners Goal 1'
  • Morena Goal 55', 76'
  • Chirewa Goal 2'
 Stadium: Free State Stadium
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)
27 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Zimbabwe  1–0  Comoros Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00
  • Tapera Goal 53'
 Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
30 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Zambia  0–2  Zimbabwe Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00
  • Tapera Goal 8'
  • Benhura Goal 43'
 Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
2 July 2024 COSAFA Cup Kenya  2–0  Zimbabwe Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00
  • A. Odhiambo Goal 54'
  • Omalla Goal 73'
 Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
6 September 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Kenya  0–0  Zimbabwe Kampala, Uganda
16:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Referee: Adalbert Douf (Senegal)
10 September 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Zimbabwe  0–0  Cameroon Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)
10 October 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Namibia  0–1  Zimbabwe Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Billiat Goal 34' (pen.) Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Patrice Mebiame (Gabon)
14 October 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Zimbabwe  3–1  Namibia Johannesburg, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
  • Musona Goal 50', 61' (pen.)
  • Dube Goal 89'
  • Eiseb Goal 90'
 Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Yannick Malala (DR Congo)
10 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Zimbabwe  1-1  Kenya Polokwane, South Africa
18:00 CAT (UTC+02:00) Maswanhise Goal 32' Ayunga Goal 52' Stadium: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Referee: Messie Jessie Nkounkou Mvoutou (Congo)
18 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Cameroon  2-1  Zimbabwe Yaoundé
15:00 CAT (UTC+02:00) Aboubakar Goal 18', N'Koudou Goal 23' Dzukamanja Goal 73' Stadium: Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo
Referee: Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)

2025 Matches

20 March 2026 World Cup qualification Zimbabwe  2–2  Benin Durban, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
  • Munetsi Goal 44'
  • Musona Goal 59'
  • Mounié Goal 12'
  • Dokou Goal 35'
 Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
25 March 2026 World Cup qualification Nigeria  1–1  Zimbabwe Uyo, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1
  • Chirewa Goal 90'
 Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Referee: Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea)
4 June 2025 COSAFA Cup Mauritius  0–0  Zimbabwe Bloemfontein, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2 Stadium: Free State Stadium
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
7 June 2025 COSAFA Cup South Africa  2–0  Zimbabwe Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
  • Dlamini Goal 40' (pen.)
  • Okon Goal 78'
 Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium
Referee: Thabang Ketshabile (Botswana)
10 June 2025 COSAFA Cup Mozambique  1–3  Zimbabwe Bloemfontein, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
  • Calção Goal 38'
  • Ngwenya Goal 27', 36' (pen.)
  • Makunike Goal 90+5'
 Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
September 2026 World Cup qualification Benin  v  Zimbabwe
September 2026 World Cup qualification Zimbabwe  v  Rwanda
October 2026 World Cup qualification Zimbabwe  v  South Africa
October 2026 World Cup qualification Lesotho  v  Zimbabwe
22 December 2025 AFCON Group B Egypt  v  Zimbabwe Agadir, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Adrar Stadium
26 December 2025 AFCON Group B Angola  v  Zimbabwe Marrakesh, Morocco
20:30 UTC+1 Stadium: Marrakesh Stadium
29 December 2025 AFCON Group B Zimbabwe  v  South Africa Marrakesh, Morocco
20:30 UTC+1 Stadium: Marrakesh Stadium

Coaching Staff

Bruce Grobbelaar 2009
Bruce Grobbelaar played for and managed Zimbabwe

The team has a head coach and a team of assistant coaches, medical staff, and other support members.

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
Botswana Jethro Hunidzarira

Current Players

This is the list of players chosen for recent friendly matches. Their caps (games played) and goals are updated as of June 10, 2025.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Washington Arubi (1985-08-29) 29 August 1985 (age 39) 31 0 South Africa Marumo Gallants
1GK Elvis Chipezeze (1990-03-11) 11 March 1990 (age 35) 8 0 South Africa Magesi
1GK Marley Tavaziva (2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 20) 1 0 England Brentford
2DF Teenage Hadebe (1995-09-17) 17 September 1995 (age 29) 39 2 United States Cincinnati
2DF Gerald Takwara (1994-10-29) 29 October 1994 (age 30) 22 1 Iraq Al-Minaa
2DF Peter Muduhwa (1993-08-11) 11 August 1993 (age 32) 12 0 Zimbabwe Scottland
2DF Godknows Murwira (1993-07-04) 4 July 1993 (age 32) 12 0 Zimbabwe Scottland
2DF Munashe Garananga (2001-01-18) 18 January 2001 (age 24) 10 0 Denmark Copenhagen
2DF Emmanuel Jalai (1999-01-06) 6 January 1999 (age 26) 4 0 Zimbabwe Dynamos
2DF Isheanesu Mauchi (2002-11-28) 28 November 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Zimbabwe Simba Bhora
3MF Richard Hachiro (1998-01-27) 27 January 1998 (age 27) 5 0 Zimbabwe Ngezi Platinum
3MF Jonah Fabisch (2001-08-13) 13 August 2001 (age 23) 2 0 Germany Erzgebirge Aue
3MF Mthokozisi Msebe (2000-02-17) 17 February 2000 (age 25) 1 0 Zimbabwe Scottland
3MF Sean Fusire (2005-05-31) 31 May 2005 (age 20) 1 0 England Sheffield Wednesday
3MF Donald Mudadi (1996-03-02) 2 March 1996 (age 29) 0 0 Zimbabwe Simba Bhora
4FW Khama Billiat (1990-08-19) 19 August 1990 (age 34) 54 17 Zimbabwe Scottland
4FW Tino Kadewere (1996-01-05) 5 January 1996 (age 29) 21 3 Greece Aris
4FW Prince Dube (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 (age 28) 15 7 Tanzania Young Africans
4FW Walter Musona (1995-12-12) 12 December 1995 (age 29) 15 4 Zimbabwe Scottland
4FW Tawanda Maswanhise (2002-11-20) 20 November 2002 (age 22) 11 1 Scotland Motherwell
4FW Daniel Msendami (2000-10-24) 24 October 2000 (age 24) 6 0 South Africa Marumo Gallants
4FW Bill Antonio (2002-09-03) 3 September 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Belgium Mechelen
4FW Tawanda Macheke (1996-08-12) 12 August 1996 (age 29) 1 0 Zimbabwe TelOne

Team Records

These tables show the players with the most games and most goals for Zimbabwe. Players in bold are still playing for the team.

Most Games Played

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Peter Ndlovu 81 37 1990–2007
2 Adam Ndlovu 74 26 1990–2004
3 Francis Shonhayi 70 1 1989–1998
4 John Phiri 67 3 1983–1995
5 Dumisani Mpofu 63 0 1996–2006
6 Japhet Mparutsa 62 0 1981–1995
Stanley Ndunduma 62 9 1981–1989
Esrom Nyandoro 62 4 2001–2012
9 Khama Billiat 57 18 2011–present
10 Ronald Sibanda 56 3 1997–2007

Top Goal Scorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Peter Ndlovu 37 81 0.46 1991–2007
2 Knowledge Musona 26 54 0.48 2010–present
Adam Ndlovu 26 74 0.35 1992–2004
4 Agent Sawu 21 47 0.45 1990–2004
5 Khama Billiat 18 57 0.32 2011–present
6 Vitalis Takawira 13 40 0.33 1992–1998
7 Shacky Tauro 11 45 0.24 1980–1989
8 Luke Jukulile 10 15 0.67 2000–2001
Benjani Mwaruwari 10 44 0.23 1999–2010
10 Cuthbert Malajila 9 31 0.29 2008–2017
Stanley Ndunduma 9 62 0.15 1981–1989

Tournament History

Zimbabwe has competed in several major football tournaments.

Africa Cup of Nations

The team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations six times. They qualified for the 2025 tournament.

Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 6
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 Could not play due to FIFA suspension
Morocco 2025 Qualified
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined
2029
Total Group stage 6/35 15 3 2 10 16 31

COSAFA Cup Success

Zimbabwe has won the COSAFA Cup six times, making them one of the most successful teams in this regional tournament.

  • 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 Achievements

The team has also performed well in the CECAFA Cup, winning it once.

  • 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

Other Awards

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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