Zimbabwe national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Zimbabwe women's national football team.

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
File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg First colours File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg Second colours File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	121 Decrease 4 (28 November 2024)
Highest	39 (April 1994)
Lowest	131 (October 2009, February–March 2016)
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)
Four Nations Football Tournament
Appearances	1 (first in 2024)
Best result	Runner-up (2024)
Medal record COSAFA Cup Gold medal – first place 2000 Southern Africa Gold medal – first place 2003 Southern Africa Gold medal – first place 2005 Southern Africa Gold medal – first place 2009 Zimbabwe Gold medal – first place 2017 South Africa Gold medal – first place 2018 South Africa Silver medal – second place 1998 Southern Africa Silver medal – second place 2001 Southern Africa Silver medal – second place 2013 Zambia Team Bronze medal – third place 2019 South Africa CECAFA Cup Gold medal – first place 1985 Zimbabwe Silver medal – second place 1983 Kenya Bronze medal – third place 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
L-Sporto	2004–2005
Legea	2006–2009
Puma	2010–2012
Umbro	2013–2014
Joma	2015–2016
Mafro	2017–2018
Umbro	2019–2022
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

2024

Zambia v Zimbabwe

23 March Friendly	Zambia	2–2 (5–6 p)	Zimbabwe	Lilongwe, Malawi
		Report		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

Zimbabwe v Kenya

26 March Friendly	Zimbabwe	1–3	Kenya	Lilongwe, Malawi
		Report		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

Zimbabwe v Lesotho

7 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Zimbabwe	0–2	Lesotho	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report	Rasethuntša File:Soccerball shade.svg 21' Thabantso File:Soccerball shade.svg 31'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)

South Africa v Zimbabwe

11 June 2026 World Cup qualification	South Africa	3–1	Zimbabwe	Bloemfontein, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2	Rayners File:Soccerball shade.svg 1' Morena File:Soccerball shade.svg 55', 76'	Report	Chirewa File:Soccerball shade.svg 2'	Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)

Zimbabwe v Comoros

27 June 2024 COSAFA Cup	Zimbabwe	1–0	Comoros	Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00	Tapera File:Soccerball shade.svg 53'	Report		Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Zambia v Zimbabwe

Kenya v Zimbabwe

Kenya v Zimbabwe

6 September 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification	Kenya	0–0	Zimbabwe	Kampala, Uganda
16:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Referee: Adalbert Douf (Senegal)

Zimbabwe v Cameroon

10 September 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification	Zimbabwe	0–0	Cameroon	Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)

Namibia v Zimbabwe

10 October 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification	Namibia	0–1	Zimbabwe	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report	Billiat File:Soccerball shade.svg 34' (pen.)	Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Patrice Mebiame (Gabon)

Zimbabwe v Namibia

14 October 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification	Zimbabwe	3–1	Namibia	Johannesburg, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2	Musona File:Soccerball shade.svg 50', 61' (pen.) Dube File:Soccerball shade.svg 89'	Report	Eiseb File:Soccerball shade.svg 90'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Yannick Malala (DR Congo)

Zimbabwe v Kenya

10 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification	Zimbabwe	v	Kenya	TBA
				Stadium: TBA

Cameroon v Zimbabwe

18 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification	Cameroon	v	Zimbabwe	TBA
				Stadium: TBA

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

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

Coaching staff

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

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	30	0	Marumo Gallants
	1GK	Bernard Donovan	(1995-07-12) 12 July 1995	6	0	Chicken Inn
	1GK	Marley Tavaziva	(2004-12-17) 17 December 2004	0	0	Brentford B
	2DF	Teenage Hadebe	(1995-09-17) 17 September 1995	40	4	Cincinnati
	2DF	Gerald Takwara	(1994-10-29) 29 October 1994	20	0	Al-Minaa
	2DF	Andrew Mbeba	(2000-02-19) 19 February 2000	7	0	Highlanders
	2DF	Godknows Murwira	(1993-07-04) 4 July 1993	6	0	CAPS United
	2DF	Munashe Garananga	(2001-01-18) 18 January 2001	4	0	Copenhagen
	2DF	Brendan Galloway	(1996-03-17) 17 March 1996	3	0	Plymouth Argyle
	2DF	Emmanuel Jalai	(1999-01-06) 6 January 1999	1	0	Dynamos
	3MF	Marshall Munetsi	(1996-06-22) 22 June 1996	29	1	Stade de Reims
	3MF	Richard Hachiro	(1998-01-27) 27 January 1998	12	0	Ngezi Platinum
	3MF	Walter Musona	(1995-12-12) 12 December 1995	10	2	Simba Bhora
	3MF	Jordan Zemura	(1999-11-14) 14 November 1999	10	0	Udinese
	3MF	Brian Banda	(1995-09-09) 9 September 1995	7	0	Platinum
	3MF	Andy Rinomhota	(1997-04-21) 21 April 1997	5	0	Cardiff City
	3MF	Daniel Msendami	(2000-10-24) 24 October 2000	4	0	Marumo Gallants
	3MF	Tawanda Maswanhise	(2002-11-20) 20 November 2002	3	0	Motherwell
	3MF	Tawanda Chirewa	(2003-10-11) 11 October 2003	2	1	Wolverhampton Wanderers
	4FW	Tino Kadewere	(1996-01-05) 5 January 1996	27	3	Nantes
	4FW	Prince Dube	(1997-02-17) 17 February 1997	16	7	Young Africans
	4FW	Obriel Chirinda	(1997-01-28) 28 January 1997	6	1	Ngezi Platinum
	4FW	Douglas Mapfumo	(2000-03-01) 1 March 2000	1	0	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	1	0	Highlanders	2024 COSAFA Cup
GK	Joseph Kaunda	(2005-09-04) 4 September 2005	0	0	Manica Diamonds	2024 COSAFA Cup
GK	Martin Mapisa	(1998-05-25) 25 May 1998	2	0	Dynamos	v. South Africa; 11 June 2024
GK	Godfrey Chitsumba	(1998-09-18) 18 September 1998	1	0	Manica Diamonds	v. South Africa; 11 June 2024
DF	Malvern Hativagoni	(2002-09-02) 2 September 2002	1	0	Bulawayo Chiefs	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Tawanda Chisi	(2000-11-14) 14 November 2000	0	0	Manica Diamonds	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Shane Maroodza	(2004-05-18) 18 May 2004	0	0	Huddersfield Town	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Isheanesu Mauchi		0	0	Simba Bhora	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Divine Lunga	(1995-05-28) 28 May 1995	23	0	Mamelodi Sundowns	v. South Africa; 11 June 2024
DF	Peter Muduhwa	(1993-08-11) 11 August 1993	14	0	Highlanders	v. Kenya; 26 March 2024
DF	Frank Makarati	(1994-03-14) 14 March 1994	1	0	Dynamos	v. Nigeria; 19 November 2023
MF	Tatenda Tavengwa	(1997-03-29) 29 March 1997	4	0	Venda	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Donald Mudadi	(1996-03-02) 2 March 1996	2	0	Dynamos	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Joey Phuthi	(2005-01-02) 2 January 2005	1	0	Sheffield Wednesday	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Juan Mutudza	(1999-04-12) 12 April 1999	1	0	Platinum	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Tinotenda Meke		0	0	Green Fuel	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Kingsley Mureremba	(2005-01-19) 19 January 2005	0	0	CAPS United	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	McKinnon Mushore	(2000-07-27) 27 July 2000	0	0	Highlanders	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Panashe Mutimbanyoka	(2002-02-21) 21 February 2002	0	0	Platinum	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Tivonge Rushesha	(2002-07-24) 24 July 2002	0	0	Reading	v. South Africa; 11 June 2024
MF	Marvelous Nakamba	(1994-01-19) 19 January 1994	28	0	Luton Town	v. Nigeria; 19 November 2023
MF	Tanaka Shandirwa	(1999-12-04) 4 December 1999	3	0	Dynamos	v. Nigeria; 19 November 2023
FW	Takunda Benhura	(2001-07-31) 31 July 2001	1	0	Ngezi Platinum	2024 COSAFA Cup
FW	Washington Mapuwa		1	0	Green Fuel	2024 COSAFA Cup
FW	Never Rauzhi		1	0	Bulawayo Chiefs	2024 COSAFA Cup
FW	Michael Tapera	(1998-07-18) 18 July 1998	1	1	Manica Diamonds	2024 COSAFA Cup
FW	Tymon Machope	(1993-07-03) 3 July 1993	2	0	Simba Bhora	v. South Africa; 11 June 2024
FW	Terrence Dzvukamanja	(1994-05-05) 5 May 1994	16	0	SuperSport United	v. Nigeria; 19 November 2023
FW	Admiral Muskwe	(1998-08-21) 21 August 1998	7	1	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

As of 19 November 2024

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
1966	Did not enter									Did not enter
1970	Did not qualify from Asia/Oceania zone									3	0	2	1	2	4
1974	Did not enter									Did not enter
1978
as Zimbabwe										as Zimbabwe
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									4	0	2	2	2	6
2030										To be determined
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
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
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
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

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

External links

• Zimbabwe Football Association at CAF online
• Zimbabwe Football Association at FIFA