Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees has acknowledged the challenges his side will face as they prepare for a difficult encounter against Namibia in their third match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s fixture, Nees highlighted the strength of the Namibian side while expressing confidence in his team’s readiness despite limited preparation time and player absences.
The crucial AFCON qualifier, set to take place behind closed doors due to ongoing COVID-19 protocols, will be a significant test for Zimbabwe.
Namibia, currently facing pressure after two defeats in the opening rounds, are determined to turn their campaign around.
Nees acknowledged this, saying, “It will be a tough match because Namibia is actually a team which has been improving for many years.
They started this qualification campaign with two defeats, and they’re a little bit with their backs to the wall.
Despite Namibia’s slow start, the Warriors coach emphasized the quality of their opponents, many of whom play in South Africa’s top football leagues.
We analyzed them, we know their strengths, and we’re familiar with some of their key players from South Africa, Nees explained.
He predicted an exciting contest, though tempered by the absence of a live crowd.
Unfortunately, the game will be without spectators, but it will still be a challenging one,” he added.
Zimbabwe’s preparation for the clash has been far from ideal, with the team struggling to gather all its players in time for extensive training.
Nees lamented the packed football calendar, saying, “This is the first session where everybody is in a fit state.
We’ve had just one session, an hour before the game, and normally that’s not enough.”
While the short preparation time is a concern, Nees pointed to the familiarity many of his players have with one another from previous matches, particularly from their time together in Uganda.
We are building on the work we’ve done with the majority of the players, even though some were missing early on,” he noted.
In terms of player availability, Zimbabwe has had to cope with the absence of key members of the squad.
Nees confirmed that Tawanda Chirewa would miss the match but expressed optimism about the return of two crucial players: defender Brandon Galloway and captain Marvelous Nakamba.
It’s rare, even in a club environment, to have all players fit and healthy at the same time.
Injuries, suspensions, and dips in form are part of the game, Nees said, emphasizing that the national team must rely on the depth of its squad.
Despite the challenges, Nees remained positive, refusing to dwell on the packed schedule.
The calendar is tight, but we cannot change it.
Complaining won’t help, so we have to accept the situation and make the best of it.”
With Zimbabwe aiming to secure a much-needed victory to boost their qualification hopes, all eyes will be on Thursday’s match as the Warriors seek to build momentum in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
