Zimbabwe's National Football Team Arrives in South Africa for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

The Zimbabwe senior men's national football team, known Warriors, has arrived in South Africa ahead of their critical World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa. Led by interim coach Jairos Tapera, the team landed on Sunday and was welcomed by a group of Zimbabweans based in South Africa, including former footballer Alexander Maseko.

The Warriors will face Lesotho on Friday, June 7, at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, followed by a match against South Africa on Tuesday, June 11, at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. These matches are pivotal for Zimbabwe, currently in fifth place in Group C with two points, tied with Nigeria and Lesotho. Rwanda leads the group with four points, followed by South Africa with three points, and Benin at the bottom with one point.

The team conducted their first training session on Monday, focusing on preparations for their upcoming matches. Coach Tapera expressed satisfaction with the players' commitment but noted concerns about their physical conditioning, stating, "I am not too satisfied and that's an area we need to work on." He attributed this to the fact that most players have just finished their European season.

The squad includes notable players such as Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway, who recently signed a new contract with his club. Galloway is listed as one of eight defenders in the 23-strong Zimbabwe squad. However, he is currently undergoing rehabilitation for an injury and is expected to join the team later.

Warriors forward Tino Kadewere, who has faced criticism on social media for his performances, remains focused on his role. "I am a professional footballer who doesn't pay much attention to what people say. Whether I am being criticised or hyped, it doesn't matter for me," Kadewere said. He emphasized the importance of the match against Lesotho, warning that they should not be underestimated.

The team has also seen the arrival of other key players, including Italy-based defender Jordan Zemura and left-back Devine Lunga. Their inclusion strengthens the squad, which is looking to improve its standing in Group C with positive results in the upcoming matches.

In addition to the World Cup qualifiers, 19-year-old wideman Joey Phuti has been selected to represent Zimbabwe in the COSAFA tournament, which will take place in Durban, South Africa, from June 14 to June 25. This marks another milestone in Phuti's international career, following his senior international debut in March against Kenya.

The Warriors prepare for their matches, the team and Coach Tapera are hopeful for strong performances to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Zimbabweans living in South Africa have been encouraged to support the team at Orlando Stadium on Friday.

Key Takeaways

• Zimbabwe's national football team, the Warriors, arrives in South Africa for World Cup qualifiers.
• They'll face Lesotho on June 7 and South Africa on June 11 in crucial Group C matches.
• Coach Jairos Tapera expresses concerns about players' physical conditioning.
• Notable players include Brendan Galloway, Tino Kadewere, Jordan Zemura, and Devine Lunga.
• Zimbabwe seeks to improve its Group C standing and boost 2026 World Cup qualification chances.