The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Zimbabwe

  • Ten-man Zimbabwe dent Bafana’s WC dream

    Ten-man Zimbabwe dent Bafana’s WC dream

    South Africa lost some ground in Group C after being held to a goalless draw by ten-man Zimbabwe in Durban.

    Bafana had the better of earlier passages and almost hit the front when a long-range strike from Sipho Mbule forced Washington Arubi to make a teasing save.

    The Warriors gained ground later on through Khama Billiat, Marshall Munetsi, and Knowledge Musona specifically, but they didn’t trouble the defence and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

    However, Bafana regained momentum before halftime and were denied the opener when a left-footed curler outside the area by Mohau Nkota clipped off the upright.

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    Nkota didn’t come out in the second half after making way for Thapelo Morena while Bathusi Aubaas stepped in for Sithole in a double change for Bafana.

    Bafana missed a golden chance ten minutes past the break when Lyle Foster burst through on goal and cut back to produce a shot, but Teenage Hadebe cleared off the line.

    It didn’t stop South Africa from piling on the pressure as a hard and low square pass unleashed Mudau out on the right, but Arubi rushed out and narrowed.

    The Warriors were reduced to ten men in the 63rd minute as Musona fouled Sibisi and received a second yellow card, ending his evening.

  • World Cup 26: Zimbabwe defend choice of Durban for South Africa

    World Cup 26: Zimbabwe defend choice of Durban for South Africa

    The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has explained why they chose Moses Mabhida Stadium as the venue to play Bafana Bafana.

    This week, ZIFA announced that Zimbabwe’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bafana will be played in Durban.

    The decision was eagerly awaited, as the match could secure Bafana a place at the World Cup, which will take place in June next year in North America.

    Fellow World Cup hopefuls in Group E, Benin and Nigeria, were believed to have been keeping an eye on the situation, hoping Zimbabwe would find a venue outside South Africa, as playing there could give Bafana something of an advantage.

    Read Also: Aiyegbeni, Oshaniwa berate NFF for blaming  Ekong, Dessers for Super Eagles’ woes 

    Zimbabwe are still without a CAF- and FIFA-approved stadium to host home matches and have therefore been using alternative venues in South Africa for their previous qualifiers.

    Nevertheless, ZIFA has now explained why they opted to stage the match against Hugo Broos’ side in KwaZulu-Natal.

    A statement on their official website reads: “The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) wishes to inform fans that the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa on 10 October will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

    “Originally, ZIFA had planned to host the match in Francistown, Botswana, but the venue became unavailable due Botswana’s need to use the same stadium. After assessing alternatives across the region, only two suitable venues in South Africa remained: Orlando Stadium and Moses Mabhida Stadium. Taking into account logistics, cost, facilities, and fan safety, ZIFA chose Moses Mabhida Stadium to give the Warriors the best possible environment to compete.

    “We understand the disappointment of not playing at home, but we urge all Zimbabweans to unite and rally behind the Warriors as they take on South Africa in this crucial World Cup qualifier.”

  • NFF writes FIFA over Lesotho, Zimbabwe playing in South Africa

    NFF writes FIFA over Lesotho, Zimbabwe playing in South Africa

    ScoreNigeria can exclusively report that Nigeria have fired a strongly worded protest to FIFA to complain that there is no fair play in the race for the qualifying ticket to the 2026 World Cup in Group C because both Lesotho and Zimbabwe are playing their home games in South Africa, who are also a direct rival.

    Both Lesotho and Zimbabwe, who are in the same qualifying group as the Super Eagles, are playing their home games in the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.

    This effectively means that South Africa will now play their remaining four World Cup qualifying matches at home in South Africa in the real sense of it.

    In September, Matchday 7 vs Lesotho (away) and Matchday 8 vs Nigeria (home) will all be played in South Africa.

    The same applies in October for Matchday 9 (away) vs Zimbabwe and Matchday 10 (home) vs Rwanda.

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    Their away games were against the Super Eagles (1-1), Rwanda (lost 2-0), and Benin (won 2-0).

    “This is against fair play as it gives South Africa an undue advantage to qualifying for the World Cup,” a top official told SCORENigeria

    “The NFF are therefore asking that the forthcoming home games of Lesotho and Zimbabwe against South Africa be moved out of South Africa.”

    South Africa lead Group C with 13 points from six matches, while Rwanda are second on eight points.

    Benin are third with eight points, Nigeria fourth on seven points, Lesotho are fifth with six points, and Zimbabwe are bottom having only four points.

  • Obi lauds Super Eagles’ resilience despite draw against Zimbabwe

    Obi lauds Super Eagles’ resilience despite draw against Zimbabwe

    Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed admiration for the Super Eagles’ performance in their recent FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe.

    Despite the team’s 1-1 draw, Obi commended the players for demonstrating the “true Nigerian spirit of strength, resilience, and dedication” on the field.

    Obi, who attended the match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, acknowledged that the team didn’t secure a win but emphasised that their sportsmanship had won the hearts of Nigerians.

    He appreciated the team’s efforts and sacrifices, stating that “our labours were not in vain”.

    Read Also: Super Eagles’ dreams suffer setback in World Cup’ 26 race

    Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I travelled to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, where I joined a host of other sport-enthusiastic Nigerians to support The Super Eagles as they played the Warriors of Zimbabwe in their sixth match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.

    “As usual, our team demonstrated the true Nigerian spirit of strength, resilience and dedication on the field of play. Football, and indeed sports, has remained a strong unifying factor for our nation battling with disunity.

    “While we may not have clinched the victory on the field of play, our dear players have, again, won our hearts with their obvious display of sportsmanship.

    “I sincerely appreciate our dear national football team and, indeed, everyone whose efforts and sacrifices got us far in this journey. Our labours were not in vain.”

  • Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe:  Super Eagles’  dreams suffer setback in World Cup 26 race  

    Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe:  Super Eagles’  dreams suffer setback in World Cup 26 race  

    Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals suffered a setback yesterday  after the Warriors of Zimbabwe scored a last-minute equalizer in their Matchday 6 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

    The result meant the Super Eagles are still stuck in fourth place in group C, as leaders South Africa put daylight between themselves and the rest of the pack with a matured 2-0 win over Benin Republic in Abidjan that took them to 13 points.

    Benin Republic’s Cheetahs and Rwanda’s Amavubi are both on eight points, one more than the Super Eagles, with four rounds of matches left, to be played over the months of September and October.

    Usual suspect Victor James Osimhen, playing his 40th match for the Nigeria senior team, scored to put Nigeria in front after 73 minutes, making hay from Olaoluwa Aina’s cross from the left that escaped every Zimbabwean player in the defence.

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    With robust confidence and a positive spirit from their win over Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, Nigeria launched onslaught after onslaught particularly through the left side of the Zimbabwean defence, with Simon Moses always in good flow, but goalkeeper Washington Arubi thwarted their forays and kept his team in the game.

    Three minutes after Osimhen’s goal, the visitors could have scored as Khama Billiat broke from the left and the Super Eagles were only saved by the crossbar.

    Substitute Tawanda Chireda would eventually find the leveller on the dot of 90 minutes, as the Warriors swept past the Nigeria rear-guard and he cleverly poked past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from close range. 

  • Tinubu backs Super Eagles ahead World Cup Qualifier against Zimbabwe

    Tinubu backs Super Eagles ahead World Cup Qualifier against Zimbabwe

    President Bola Tinubu has extended best wishes to the Super Eagles as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    Speaking at the State House after lighting up the Torch of Unity for the 22nd National Sports Festival, Tinubu offered prayers for the national team. 

    “May God grant the Super Eagles victory today,” he said.

    Nigeria is looking to build on its strong start in the World Cup qualification campaign, following a 2-0 victory over Rwanda. 

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    A win against Zimbabwe would further strengthen the team’s position as they push for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    The Super Eagles will aim to maintain momentum as they continue their quest for a spot in the global tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

  • FULL LIST: Super Eagles starting XI for Zimbabwe clash

    FULL LIST: Super Eagles starting XI for Zimbabwe clash

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria continue with the push to get into the top two of Group C in the World Cup qualifiers by hosting Zimbabwe at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    They will come up against the struggling Warriors, who are at the bottom of the table and have yet to taste victory in this campaign.

    The game will be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by 5pm today.

    Read Also: Garba, Adepoju want Super Eagles to beat Warriors

    Here is the starting XI for the Super Eagles:

    Nwabali
    Ekong
    Aina
    Osayi-Samuel
    Bassey
    Ndidi
    Chukwueze
    1wobi
    Simon
    Lookman
    Osimhen

  • WCQ: Eagles’ opponent Zimbabwe suffer injury blow

    WCQ: Eagles’ opponent Zimbabwe suffer injury blow

    Zimbabwe will be without star midfielder Marvelous Nakamba when they take on the Super Eagles in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier in Uyo later this month.

    Luton Town defensive midfielder Nakamba suffered a calf injury in action against Watford.

    He will be sidelined for the next six weeks

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    Nakamba is one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced stars having been a full international since 2015.

    Zimbabwe are bottom of their World Cup qualifying group with two points from four matches.

    They face the Super Eagles on March 25.

  • Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister, six others  to jostle  for IOC presidency

    Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister, six others  to jostle  for IOC presidency

    World athletics chief Sebastian Coe, multi-millionaire and Olympic newcomer Johan Eliasch and Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry are among seven candidates for next year’s International Olympic Committee presidency election, the IOC said.

    IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch, son of the late former IOC president, international cycling chief David Lappartient, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan and international gymnastics federation head Morinari Watanabe are also in the running to succeed current president Thomas Bach.

    The 70-year-old German is stepping down next year after 12 years at the helm. The election will be held at the IOC session in ancient Olympia, Greece in March 2025.

    The candidates will all present their programmes, behind closed doors, to the full IOC membership in January 2025.

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    The IOC, with 111 members currently, is in charge of the Olympic Games and the multi-billion dollar industry linked to the world’s biggest multi-sports event.

    Below is the  penpix of candidates to succeed Bach as IOC President

    PRINCE FEISAL AL HUSSEIN:

    Age: 60

    Country: Jordan

    Entry into the IOC: 2010

    Prince Feisal heads the Jordan Olympic Committee and has been an IOC executive board member since 2019. An Executive Board member of the Olympic Council of Asia, Prince Feisal has also held several posts at the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

    SEBASTIAN COE:

    Age: 67

    Country: Britain

    Entry into the IOC: 2020

    An Olympic track and field champion and head of World Athletics, Coe also led the organisation for the 2012 London Olympics. A former Conservative Member of Parliament, Coe is also involved in sports consultancy and is a former head of the British Olympic Association.

    KIRSTY COVENTRY:

    Age: 41

    Country: Zimbabwe

    Entry into the IOC: 2013

    An Olympic swimming champion and Zimbabwe’s most successful Olympian, Coventry is Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister. She is the only woman among the candidates and the only one from Africa.

    JOHAN ELIASCH:

    Age: 62

    Country: Britain

    Entry into the IOC: 2024

    The wealthy Swedish-born entrepreneur with a variety of business interests has headed the international skiing federation since 2021. He only joined the IOC in July at its session in the Paris Olympics.

    DAVID LAPPARTIENT:

    Age: 51

    Country: France

    Entry into the IOC: 2022

    A rising figure in world sports administration. He heads the international cycling body, UCI, and is in charge of esports within the IOC, having helped seal a 12-year deal with Saudi Arabia earlier this year for the Olympic esports Games.

    Manchester City is used to winning on the soccer pitch but it may have come up against his toughest opponent yet off it.

    JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH:

    Age: 64

    Country: Spain

    Entry into the IOC: 2001

    The son of the late former IOC president, Samaranch has considerable IOC experience and influence in his six years as vice president and 23 as a member. He headed the coordination commission for theBeijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

    MORINARI WATANABE:

    Age: 65

    Country: Japan

    Entry into the IOC: 2018

    Watanabe has headed the gymnastics federation (FIG) since 2016, having been re-elected twice since. He is the first Japanese candidate to run for the IOC presidency.

  • Runsewe mourns Zimbabwe’s Kaseke

    Runsewe mourns Zimbabwe’s Kaseke

    President, Nigeria Golf Federation, Otunba Segun Runsewe, has expressed dismay and shock at the death of Karikoga Kaseke, the longest-serving chief tourism officer of Zimbabwe, who passed on last week after a long battle with an illness.

     Kaseke, was also vice president, Africa Tourism Initiative, a loose federation of tourism chief executives from Africa, formed at the World Travel Market in 2007 with Runsewe, then director-general, Nigeria Tourism Development Cooperation ( NTDC), as president, died at 62.

    In a condolence message to the family of late Kaseke,  the government and people of Zimbabwe, Runsewe who is also President, World craft council, Africa region,

    recalled the dedication and commitment of Kaseke to dream of bringing the entire African countries together to form a huge bloc in marketing African tourism to Africans and the world.

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    “Together, Kaseke and I were determined to change the perception of African tourism under the African Tourism Initiative. He was my deputy, a very great pan Africanist and tourism giant. Kaseke was humble and unassuming, willing to see through the dream of Africans visiting Africa and taking the advantage of our rich culture and history to change our narratives at world tourism expositions and which we did together across the world” Runsewe recalled with nostalgia 

    Though the date for the burial of Kaseke is yet to be announced, Runsewe urged the government and people of Zimbabwe to give the late tourism pathfinder a hero’s burial as he gave his all not only to  tourism development in Zimbabwe but also to the entire African continent which he believed should not play a second fiddle as global travel and tourism destination marketing and promotion.

    “I will personally miss Kaseke. He was a reliable and dependable partner, a lover of African cultural tourism togetherness. May God rest his soul in peace and give his family and the government and people of Zimbabwe the fortitude to bear his passage. Africa has lost a great son “ Runsewe stated.