“Tomorrow Is a Final”: Warriors Coach Michael Nees Confident Ahead of Lesotho Clash
Warriors coach Michael Nees says his team is ready to deliver a “marvelous show” when Zimbabwe faces Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Nees emphasized that every game matters as Zimbabwe continues to build towards the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco later this year.
“Some might see it as a dead rubber, but for us every match is a building block toward AFCON 2025. Every player matters, and we are developing a culture of unity and belief,” said Nees.
Building Momentum Toward AFCON 2025
Despite the goalless draw against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Warriors remain upbeat and focused on their long-term goal — a strong showing at the 2025 AFCON finals.
Michael Nees said the team’s mindset is evolving, with a growing sense of discipline and ambition guiding their preparations.
The German tactician reaffirmed that Zimbabwe’s journey is not about short-term results but about laying a foundation for success in Morocco.
“Tomorrow is a final in its own right,” he said, describing the importance of the upcoming fixture against Lesotho.
Ambitious AFCON Target: “We Don’t Want to Be Tourists”
According to Soccer24, looking ahead to the AFCON tournament, Nees has made it clear that the Warriors’ ambitions go beyond participation.
“I want to say it again, we don’t want to go to Morocco and be tourists there. We want to be there on New Year’s Eve, because the second round starts in the new year,” he said.
“That is our ambition, our target, we’re working towards that. It’s not always a smooth ride — there are little ups and downs — but when you look at the long run, there is hope.”
Zimbabwe will compete in Group B alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Angola — a challenging draw that Nees believes will test the team’s resilience and tactical maturity.
Warriors’ Group Stage Schedule Announced
The Warriors will open their campaign against Egypt on 22 December at the Grand Stade d’Agadir in the coastal city of Agadir, with kickoff set for 7 pm CAT.
They will then meet Angola on Boxing Day (26 December) at the Grand Stade de Marrakech before concluding their Group B fixtures against neighbours South Africa on 29 December at the same venue.
With Nees’ confidence and the team’s growing momentum, Zimbabwean fans will be hoping the Warriors can turn belief into history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time.
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The post “Every Match Is a Building Block”: Warriors Coach Focused on AFCON 2025, Not Just World Cup Qualifiers appeared first on iHarare News.
