The Zimbabwe national football team, known as The Warriors, represents Zimbabwe in men's international football. The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), formerly known as the Football Association of Rhodesia, controls the team.
History and Key Moments
Southern Rhodesia played their first official match against the England Amateur national football team in June 1929, during the latter's tour of South Africa and Rhodesia. Southern Rhodesia lost their first two matches against England 4-0 and 6-1, respectively.
In 1965, following Southern Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence as Rhodesia, FIFA requested that the Football Association of Rhodesia reform to be a multi-racial organisation. Prior to this, only white Rhodesians were selected for the national football team but after 1965 the team became multi-racial.
In 1969, Rhodesia participated in the Oceanic 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament, marking their first attempt to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Contrary to the team being viewed as the representative team of white Rhodesians, the team was multi-racial including black players.
In 1980, following the country's reconstitution as Zimbabwe, they played their first FIFA World Cup qualifying match for 11 years against the Cameroon national football team. However they lost 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-0 win in the first leg in Salisbury and a 2-0 loss in the second leg.
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Following this, the country passed a law that people who held British passports would not be permitted to hold a Zimbabwean passport, which mean that players such as goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, who is considered to be Zimbabwe's greatest goalkeeper, were not selected for the national team for 10 years.
Following a change in policy that allowed Grobbelaar to play for Zimbabwe, who entered the country on his British passport, Zimbabwe under manager Reinhard Fabisch were one match away from qualifying for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Achievements
The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals, but has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations six times. Zimbabwe has also won the COSAFA Cup six times.
Suspension from International Sport
On 1 March 2022, Zimbabwe, along with Kenya, was suspended again from international sport due to the interference of the government. Earlier in November 2021, Harare and Nairobi dissolved their federations and were replaced with government-officials. On 31 March, the suspension was made indefinitely and was ratified by FIFA. Suspension is set until Zimbabwe and Kenya meet the demands given by FIFA.
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Notable Players
The team has produced some of the finest footballers the likes of the legendary Peter Ndlovu who played for Zimbabwe 100 times. He featured in the English premier for Coventry City, Birmingham City, Sheffield United and Huddersfield. Peter Ndlovu is well remembered for the hatrick he scored at Anfield against Liverpool, Bruce Grobelaar former Liverpool Goalkeeper, Norman Mapeza former Galatasary defender, Benjan Mwaruwaru former Man city player. Knowledge Musona former Anderletch and Bundesliga player.
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The highest rated players from Zimbabwe are Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba and Jordan Zemura.
Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Munetsi | CM | 76 |
| Marvelous Nakamba | CDM | 72 |
| Jordan Zemura | LB | 70 |
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