Warriors prepare for crucial AFCON qualifier against Kenya in Kampala
The Zimbabwean national football team, the Warriors, are set to conduct their final training session this afternoon at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, as they gear up for their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Kenya. The squad, under the guidance of coach Michael Nees, has been stationed in Uganda for the past four days, refining their strategies and tactics in preparation for the vital clash.
Zimbabwe and Kenya find themselves in an unusual situation as both nations are without approved stadiums to host international matches.
As a result, Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium will serve as the neutral venue for tomorrow’s fixture, with Zimbabwe designated as the away team.
The match kicks off at 3 p.m. local time.
Coach Nees has maintained a laser focus on the immediate task at hand, emphasizing the importance of tomorrow’s game before turning attention to Zimbabwe’s next encounter against Cameroon.
The Warriors will face the Indomitable Lions at the same venue on Tuesday, but Nees is determined to take it one game at a time, knowing that a strong performance against Kenya could set the tone for the rest of their qualifying campaign.
“Right now, we are fully focused on Kenya.
We will deal with Cameroon when the time comes, but first, our priority is to make sure we get a good result tomorrow,” Nees said. His emphasis on discipline and preparation reflects the pressure of ensuring Zimbabwe gets off to a positive start in their quest for AFCON qualification.
This afternoon’s final training session will take place on the main pitch at Mandela National Stadium, providing the players with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the surface where they will be battling for crucial points.
Up until now, Zimbabwe has been holding training sessions at the stadium’s B Arena, honing their skills and fine-tuning their approach.
The Warriors, who are eager to bounce back after previous setbacks in international competition, know the significance of starting strong in their campaign for a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The pressure is on as they face a Kenyan side also looking to make a statement in the qualifiers, and both teams will be eager to secure early momentum.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. tomorrow, with the Warriors hoping that their time spent preparing in Kampala will translate into a strong performance on the pitch.
