Nees Declares Warriors Are No Tourists In AFCON Mission
Warriors head coach Michael Nees has declared that Zimbabwe will not be mere participants at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, but a focused side determined to reach the knockout stages for the first time in history.
His remarks came on Friday following a goalless draw against South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
“We do not want to go to Morocco and be tourists there. We want to be there on New Year’s Eve, because the second round starts in the New Year.
“That is our ambition, our target, and we are working towards that, ” he said.
The German tactician, who took charge of the Warriors earlier this year, acknowledged that the journey has not been without its challenges.
However, he remains optimistic about the team’s development.
“It is not always a smooth ride. There are little ups and downs, but when you look at the long run, there is hope,” he noted.
Zimbabwe has been drawn into a formidable Group B, which includes continental powerhouse Egypt, regional rivals South Africa, and a resilient Angolan side.
The Warriors will begin their campaign against Egypt on 22 December at the Grand Stade d’Agadir.
They will then face Angola on 26 December at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, before concluding the group stage with a highly anticipated encounter against South Africa on 29 December at the same venue.
As reported by B-Metro, Nees views the challenging group not as a disadvantage but as a motivating factor.
“We respect every opponent, but we do not fear anyone.
“We have shown we can match strong teams — now it is about turning that into results,” he explained.
With a defined objective and renewed confidence, the Warriors are setting their sights on progressing beyond the group stages and celebrating the New Year still in contention.
For Nees and his squad, the mission is clear: to compete with purpose, defy expectations, and script a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s AFCON journey.
