By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe Warriors coach Michael Nees says the target remains to qualify for the second round of the 2025 Afcon finals scheduled to take place at the end of the year in Morocco.
Zimbabwe were drawn in Group B along with Southern Africa rivals South Africa and Angola as well as seven time champions Egypt.
It will be Zimbabwe seventh dance at the continental championship but they have failed to navigate past the first round.
The German coach attended the draw which was held in the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco on Monday expressed confidence in Zimbabwe’s abilities in the tough group.
He was accompanied by the newly elected Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi, who was voted into office on Saturday.
“Three teams from Cosafa. No secrets here, the teams know each other very well. A derby against rivals Bafana Bafana again, and a clash with a skilful Angola side who have a different playing style. Not to mention North African powerhouses Egypt, record champions and one of the tournament favourites, who will come to Morocco definitely with all their stars and their best team. In my opinion, It’s a very balanced, strong and competitive group,” he said.
“Our first match will be against Egypt in Aghadir, our second against Angola and the final group game against Bafana Bafana, both those matches in Marakesh, where we will be based for the tournament. We need to be up to the challenge straight from the beginning, but with good preparations we can meet the challenge.
“As any other team, we want to go to the
second round. We respect our opponents, but we have all self-belief in our own strength and skills to achieve this objective. The tournament will set new standards for an AFCON, I am sure, and the conditions and facilities will be quite fair and equal for all the
teams,” Nees said.
The 2025 Afcon finals will kickoff on December 21, 2025 and conclude on Jan 18, 2026.
Nees’s men will begin their campaign against Egypt on December 22 at Andrar Stadium in Agadir before playing Angola at Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh on Boxing Day and conclude their group stage fixture against neighbours South Africa in Marrakesh on December 29.
WARRIORS AFCON 2025 FIXTURES
Egypt v Zimbabwe
Adrar Stadium, Agadir
22 December 2025 (18:00)
Angola v Zimbabwe
Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
26 December 2025 (20:30)
Zimbabwe v South Africa
Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
29 December 2025 (20:30)