Warriors captain Marvelous Nakamba has declared that the team will travel to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as serious contenders, not mere tourists.
The squad, which has been training in Harare for the past fortnight, is scheduled to depart for Morocco later on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe have competed in the AFCON five times but have yet to progress beyond the group stage since their debut in 2004.
There is renewed optimism that the presence of several players raised in England could help the Warriors finally reach the knockout rounds. Said Nakamba:
“On behalf of the Warriors, I would like to say to our Government, thank you for recognising sport as a tool for unity, pride, and opportunity.
“To ZIFA, we acknowledge the renewed effort to build a progressive and competitive football environment.
“To our sponsors, your investment fuels our preparations and strengthens our belief.
“And to the people of Zimbabwe, your passion is our motivation. You are the reason we fight. As players, we understand the responsibility we carry.
“We go to Morocco with humility, discipline and determination. We are not travelling as tourists. We are travelling as competitors.”
Zimbabwe have been drawn in Group B alongside regional rivals South Africa and Angola, as well as seven-time African champions Egypt.
The Warriors, who will be based in Marrakech, are set to open their campaign against Egypt next Monday at the 45,000-capacity Grand Stade d’Agadir in the coastal city of Agadir, approximately 250km from their base.
They will then return to Marrakech for their remaining group fixtures, facing Angola on Boxing Day at the Grand Stade de Marrakech before concluding the group stage against South Africa at the same venue on December 29.
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