The Zimbabwe national football team have been regular underdogs in the African cup of nations despite their somewhat dominance in their sub regional competition; the COSAFA.
A lone goal from Perfect Chikwende against Botswana at the Botswana National stadium in the fifth AFCON qualifier was enough to match the Zimbabweans to the AFCON 2021 at the expense of Zambia despite losing their final game to the Chipolopolo boys in the final round of games. They are one of the three teams who qualified with a negative goal difference(-2) alongside Comoros(-2) and Malawi (-1).
All their football success has come in the COSAFA cup where they own the bragging rights of the most titles(6), one more than South Africa and Zambia. In the AFCON, this would be their fourth time after first making the cut in 2004. In their previous appearances, The Warriors have only added to the numbers without proceeding to the knockout stage.
Captain Knowledge Musona will have to lead the warriors diligently against The Teranga Lions of Senegal, The National Elephants(Syli Nationale) of Guinea and the Flames of Malawi.
For the first time they have made back to back appearances since 2004 and 2006. Can they, for the first time qualify to the knockout stages as well?
Appearances so far : 3
Best Results: Group stage(2004, 2006 and 2019
Head Coach: Norman Mapeza(interim boss)
Most capped player: John Phiri (118 appearances)
Captain: Knowledge Musona
Top scorer: Peter Ndlovu (38 goals in 100 appearances)
Player to watch: Knowledge Musona
Source: Ghana/starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Frank Appiah