By Tapiwa Chawagarira
HARARE — The Zimbabwe Warriors return to the National Sports Stadium this evening for a highly anticipated 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with both sides looking to build on their victories in the opening Group E matches.
The match, scheduled for 6 p.m. Zimbabwe time, marks Zimbabwe’s return to international competitive football on home soil after a five-year absence from the National Sports Stadium. The encounter is also expected to be played before a sold-out crowd.
The Warriors go into the contest on the back of an impressive 3-2 comeback victory over Sierra Leone in Morocco last Thursday. Zimbabwe trailed 2-0 before Marshall Munetsi scored twice and Tawanda Chirewa completed the turnaround in the closing stages of the match.
DR Congo also started their campaign with three points, defeating Equatorial Guinea 2-0, with Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa finding the net. The result leaves both teams level on three points heading into tonight’s encounter, with the Leopards ahead on goal difference.
For coach Ramon Catala, the Warriors’ fighting spirit against Sierra Leone is encouraging, but the Spanish coach has warned his players to expect a different challenge against a Congolese side boasting considerable international experience.
Catala has acknowledged the quality of the Leopards but insists Zimbabwe will not be overawed, emphasising that the contest will ultimately be decided on the pitch.
The homecoming adds another dimension to the match. Captain Marvelous Nakamba has described the occasion as both a celebration and a competitive assignment, with the Warriors determined to give supporters a positive result after years of watching the national team play home matches outside of the country.
Zimbabwe’s squad combines established internationals such as Nakamba, Munetsi, Divine Lunga, Andy Rinomhota, Emmanuel Jalai, and Munashe Garananga with younger players including Chirewa, Tawanda Maswanhise, Sean Fusire, and Bill Antonio.
The Warriors will, however, have to cope without Isaac Mabaya, Prince Dube, and Tinotenda Kadewere, who were ruled out due to injury during the international window.
Tonight’s fixture carries significance beyond the spectacle of the Warriors’ homecoming. With the top two teams in Group E set to qualify for the 2027 AFCON finals, another positive result would strengthen Zimbabwe’s position early in the campaign.
After the dramatic comeback in Morocco, the Warriors now face a stern test against a DRC side that also began the qualifiers strongly. For Zimbabwe, the challenge is to combine the emotion of returning home with the discipline required to earn points in what promises to be a closely watched Group E encounter.
