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All you need to know about the Brave Warriors of Zimbabwe ahead of AFCON 2021.

AFCON 2021: Zimbabwe – Team guide, key players and full fixtures | Pulse Nigeria

Solace Chukwu

For a brief moment during the course of the last five to seven years, it seemed like Zimbabwe had the potential to do something interesting at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). That promise, however, has never quite panned out; instead, we have had to make do with them being fun to watch.&nbsp;

Even that might not be on offer this time around, sadly. Of the 24 teams that eventually made it through to AFCON 2021, Zimbabwe conceded the most goals and finished with second-fewest points in qualifying. They also are the only team that made it through to the tournament without winning a single game at home.&nbsp;

Remarkably, their form since then has somehow gotten even worse, especially following the sacking of Zdravko Logarusic. 2021 was particularly shabby, with one win in eight matches (exempting the COSAFA Cup) and losses to Ethiopia and Zambia on the books.

All of that has Zimbabwe languishing in 31st place in Africa, and 121st place in the world as per the most recent FIFA rankings released in December 2021.

As in 2006, all of Zimbabwe's AFCON adventures have ended in disappointing Group Stage elimination. (IMAGO / Aziz Shah)

The Brave Warriors have made it to four AFCON tournaments in their history. However, all of those ended in disappointment and early elimination. Their last win came in the 2006 edition when they beat Ghana 2-1.

A veteran of the caretaker role, Norman Mapeza has stepped into the breach on a number of occasions for Zimbabwe. This time, he gets to lead them to a major tournament. His approach to the job since taking charge in September has been mostly experimental, especially personnel-wise. Tactically, the system is a pretty straightforward 4-4-2, even though there are concerns at right-back, where Mapeza has often fielded players out of position to cover.

Zimbabwe have been hit by a number of injuries and withdrawals (they will be without the likes of Khama Billiat, Marvellous Nakamba and Tendayi Darikwa), and are still waiting on the availability of defender Jordan Zemura. However, they will be grateful for the form and presence of the experienced Knowledge Musona, who will play a key role creatively just off the centre-forward and brings good form from Saudi Arabia.

A lot will ride on the ability of Knowledge Musona to pull the strings creatively for Zimbabwe. (IMAGO / ZUMA Wire)

Lyon’s Tino Kadewere will be important in unsettling opponents with his dribbling and movement into goalscoring positions, while the burden of putting the ball in the back of the net will rest on David Moyo.

This is by no means a young squad. However, 24-year-old forward Prince Dube has been in great form in the Tanzanian top flight with Azam. He just missed out on the Golden Boot at the end of his first season in 2020/21, and is a composed finisher with either foot. He could be a real wildcard for Zimbabwe at the AFCON.

Depleted by absences and injuries, Zimbabwe will struggle to make a dent on this year's AFCON.

Petros Mhari; Takudzwa Chimwemwe, Alec Mudimu, Gerald Takwara, Bruce Kangwa; Tino Kadewere, Kelvin Madzongwe, Teenage Hadebe, Kudakwashe Mahachi; Knowledge Musona, David Moyo.

Beyond Senegal, Group B is quite wide open in that none of the other teams in it particularly distinguish themselves. However, this is unlikely to be a particularly memorable tournament for Zimbabwe, and a Group Stage is certainly in the offing.

Zimbabwe– Team guide, key players and full fixtures

AFCON 2021: Zimbabwe – Team guide, key players and full fixtures

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