The Zimbabwe national football team, popularly known as the Warriors, officially departed Zimbabwe as they begin their campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco. The squad’s departure marks the start of what supporters hope will be a memorable tournament for the Warriors on the continental stage.
The team travelled with a strong contingent of domestic-based players who have been training in camp in Harare in recent weeks. Several foreign-based Warriors, including key Europe-based stars, will join the rest of the squad in Morocco ahead of Zimbabwe’s opening match.
Under the guidance of head coach Marian “Mario” Marinica, the Warriors are preparing to compete in Group B, where they will face Egypt, Angola and South Africa when the tournament kicks off this Sunday.
The squad departure comes amid a mixture of anticipation and controversy. Notable absentees include Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi, who was omitted from the final squad due to injury and club release regulations — a decision that has sparked debate among fans and pundits back home.
Zimbabwe’s preparations included a build-up camp featuring tactical drills and team bonding activities, and several Warriors arrived early to acclimatise and fine-tune ahead of their Group B opener.
As the Warriors embark on their journey to Morocco, expectations are high among supporters that Zimbabwe can make a breakthrough in the tournament — aiming not just to compete, but to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in recent history.
Next Fixtures (AFCON 2025 – Group B):
• vs. Egypt – 22 December 2025
• vs. Angola – 26 December 2025
• vs. South Africa – 29 December 2025
