‘No Home, No Glory’: ZIFA Blames Warriors’ Poor World Cup Run on Gruelling Travel and Lack of Stadium
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has attributed the Warriors’ disappointing performances in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers to the exhausting travel schedules and lack of a proper home ground, which have disrupted training and recovery time.
The association has come under fire from frustrated football stakeholders following a string of poor results including a shocking defeat to minnows Lesotho on “home” soil in South Africa which saw the Warriors plummet to 129th on the FIFA World Rankings, their lowest in ten years.
Recently, Zimbabwe were held to a goalless draw by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at Moses Mabhida Stadium before falling 1-0 to Lesotho three days later at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
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The team has been forced to host all “home” matches outside the country due to the unavailability of FIFA and CAF-approved facilities.
ZIFA vice-president Kennedy Ndebele told NewsDay Sport that the logistical nightmare of constant travel has drained the players physically and mentally.
“The absence of a home ground is taking a toll on players,” Ndebele said.
“Some are flying from Europe straight to the match venue, then back again for club duties.
“At times we travel for two days from Durban to Joburg, to Lagos, then another connecting flight. There’s no time to rest or train.”
He explained that the situation has forced players to endure long road trips and cramped economy flights between fixtures, with limited resources preventing the association from booking business class seats.
Ndebele added that being perpetual “visitors” affects morale and preparation.
“If you don’t have a home ground, you’re always away. It’s psychologically draining,” he said, contrasting Zimbabwe’s struggles with South Africa’s advantage of multiple approved stadiums and better infrastructure.
He also cited the country’s two-year FIFA suspension and lack of grassroots structures as additional setbacks to rebuilding a competitive national team.
The Warriors’ recent results defeats to Benin and Rwanda and draws with Nigeria and Benin underscore the magnitude of the challenge ahead as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco this December.
