SHOULD Zimbabwe avoid defeat against Cameroon in their last Group J Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Yaoundé on Tuesday, German coach Michael Nees and his captain Marvelous Nakamba will make history.
The Warriors qualified for next year’s AFCON finals after labouring to a 1-1 draw against Kenya on Friday night, a result that pushed them to nine points and two behind group leaders Cameroon.
But most importantly, Zimbabwe are yet to taste defeat in this qualifying campaign. Avoiding defeat against the Indomitable Lions on Tuesday will mean Zimbabwe end an AFCON qualifying campaign without losing a match.
So far, the Warriors have two wins and three draws from their five qualifiers.They opened their campaign with two successive 0-0 draws against Kenya and Cameroon in Uganda in September.
Zimbabwe then beat Namibia in back-to-back clashes staged at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg in October. On Friday, Nees’ men surrendered a 1-0 first-half lead to settle for a draw that ensured their place at next year’s AFCON finals.Luton Town midfielder Nakamba has joined a special class of captains who have led the Warriors to the promised land.
The legendary Peter Ndlovu was the pioneer. He led Zimbabwe to their first-ever AFCON final appearance in 2004.Ndlovu was also the captain when the Warriors made it twice in a row in 2006.Willard Katsande wore the armband during the 2017 qualifiers, while Knowledge Musona led the troops during the 2019 and 2021 campaigns.
“We are happy, my brother, this group of players is special and captaining them has been a pleasure,” Nakamba told Zimpapers Sports Hub soon after the Warriors’ 1-1 draw against Kenya on Friday night.
“It is always good to give your all, especially for your country and I am happy to have led the Warriors to the AFCON finals.“Credit goes to the coaches and the whole team; we worked as one family and the environment was always good.”
