President Emmerson Mnangagwa has praised the Warriors for their spirited performance against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite Zimbabwe suffering a 2-1 defeat in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the National Sports Stadium last night.
The President, who joined thousands of supporters at the stadium for the 6pm kick-off, said the national team displayed character, skill and resilience against a highly-rated Congolese side.
In a post on his X handle after the match, President Mnangagwa said the Warriors’ performance demonstrated the progress being made in Zimbabwean football.
“A proud and spirited performance by our national team tonight (last night) at the National Sports Stadium,” said the President.
“While the final score did not go our way against the Democratic Republic of Congo, our players gave everything on the pitch and treated us to a genuinely magnificent game of football.
“They showed exceptional character, skill, and resilience against formidable opponents, proving that our football is moving in the right direction.”
The Warriors were backed by a capacity crowd, with thousands of supporters arriving at the National Sports Stadium ahead of the match and creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the encounter.
The strong support was also visible across Harare, with some motorists seen displaying the national flag as excitement over the match grew.
On the field, Zimbabwe matched the DRC for significant periods and created several opportunities against the visitors.
However, the Warriors were unable to convert some of their clear chances, which could have earned them a share of the spoils.
President Mnangagwa said the defeat should not undermine the progress being made by the national team, urging the players and technical staff to use the experience as a foundation for future improvement.
“Defeats are tough, but they are also the foundation of future victories. We stand firmly behind the team and the technical staff as they regroup for the rest of the AFCON qualification campaign,” he said.
The President also thanked the thousands of supporters who filled the stadium and continued backing the Warriors until the final whistle.
“Our journey continues!” he said.
Government has continued supporting the Warriors’ rebuilding process, including investment in the refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards and allow Zimbabwe to host its home international matches.
The colourful atmosphere at the stadium, with supporters displaying the national colours, once again highlighted football’s ability to bring Zimbabweans together.
The Warriors will now shift focus to their remaining AFCON qualifying fixtures, with the technical team expected to assess the DRC encounter and work on areas requiring improvement.
Despite the defeat, the performance provided encouragement as Zimbabwe continues its campaign, with the team seeking to build on its organisation, work rate and fighting spirit in the remaining matches.
