Sports
Warriors to Receive Foreign-Based Players Just Six Days Before AFCON 2025
Foreign-based members of the Warriors squad will now link up with the national team only six days before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco on 21 December, following a revised player-release directive from FIFA.
The delay comes after FIFA notified clubs that they are permitted to release players as late as 15 December, altering the earlier arrangement that allowed teams to assemble their full squads by 8 December.
In a statement, ZIFA confirmed the change, noting that both FIFA and CAF had jointly amended the mandatory release date.
“CAF and FIFA have jointly updated the player-release regulations for AFCON 2025. All clubs are now required to release players on or before 15 December 2025. This adjustment replaces the previous 8 December release date and carries major implications for all teams preparing for the tournament,” the statement read.
ZIFA said the new date significantly affects Zimbabwe’s preparations, as the technical team had planned an advanced pre-AFCON camp close to Morocco. The intention was to have the entire squad — including Europe- and South Africa-based players — assemble early for tactical drills, conditioning and early acclimatisation.
“With foreign-based players now guaranteed only from 15 December, the initial preparation plan cannot proceed as designed,” the association said.
According to ZIFA, the shortened window will force the restructuring of training schedules, friendly matches and travel logistics.
“The reduced preparation period squeezes Zimbabwe’s build-up phase and disrupts the training and match sequence the technical team had planned. We will now recalibrate the entire pre-tournament programme within the tighter timelines,” the statement continued.
Despite the setback, ZIFA said it remains committed to ensuring the Warriors are adequately prepared.
“The Association is reviewing the preparation framework to keep the Warriors on a competitive path heading into AFCON 2025. Updated details on revised training and travel arrangements will be announced in due course.”
ALSO READ : Sanyatwe Urges Warriors to Play With Pride and Discipline Ahead of AFCON Campaign
Sports
CAPS United Bolsters Squad with 12 New Signings Ahead of 2026 Season
CAPS United has strengthened its squad ahead of the 2026 season, confirming the signing of 12 new players across all positions. The club, determined to challenge for domestic honours, has added a mix of experienced campaigners and young talents.
Among the new arrivals are defenders Nyasha Gurende, Talent Chamboko, and Kudzai Chigwida, midfield reinforcements Lloyd Njaliwa, McDonald Makuwe, Bret Amidu, and Richard Hachiro, as well as forwards Obriel Chirinda, Chawanangwa Kaonga, and Delic Murimba. The club also secured winger Davison Marowa and goalkeeper Wallace Magalane.
The signings reflect CAPS United’s intent to build a balanced squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Club officials have highlighted the importance of blending youth and experience to maintain competitiveness in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.
Fans will be eager to see how the new recruits integrate with the existing squad as pre-season preparations ramp up. With reinforcements across defence, midfield, and attack, CAPS United is signaling its ambition to mount a strong challenge in the 2026 campaign.
Sports
Meet Ballon Chiseko: The Man Mobilising Footballers and Coaches for ED
Ballon Chiseko is the driving force behind the fast-growing Former Footballers and Players for ED initiative, a movement that has begun to attract attention within Zimbabwe’s football circles.
Popularly known as “Master”, Chiseko is a former professional footballer with a career that spanned across the region. He previously turned out for Shooting Stars, Munumotapa FC, and Gaborone United in Botswana, earning respect both on and off the pitch.
Through the initiative, Chiseko is bringing together former players, active footballers and coaches with the aim of contributing to national development using football as a tool for engagement and influence.
Chiseko says the formation of the group was inspired by the President’s call for inclusive national development.
“The President has an open-door policy to develop the country, leaving no place and no one behind. We formed this initiative in response to that call so that our footballers and coaches can also play a role through football,” he said.
The Former Footballers and Players for ED movement positions football not just as a sport, but as a platform for unity, participation and national contribution, with Chiseko emerging as the key figure coordinating its vision and direction.
Sports
US$100K Lifeline for Soccer Legends
• Tagwirei Pledges $100k to Former Footballers Through New Zanu PF Affiliate
• Footballers4ED Initiative Offers Ex-Players Projects, Free Healthcare
• Zimbabwe Soccer Legends Tasked with Grassroots Revival Under New Funding Scheme
A new affiliate group, Footballers4ED, has been launched with a pledge of US$100,000 in funding for former footballers, aimed at supporting project-based livelihoods.
The initiative was unveiled at a meeting hosted by Zanu PF Youth League Deputy Political Commissar Taurai Kandishaya at his farm in Goromonzi.

Speaking to the gathering, which included several Zimbabwean soccer legends, Kandishaya announced that the funding had been pledged by businessman and Zanu PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
“Cde Kudakwashe Tagwirei pledged to support the former footballers with US$100,000 so that they come up with various projects so that they earn a better living,” Kandishaya said.
“On top of the $100k, you are allowed to get free health facility and medical at Arundel Hospital.”
Kandishaya also linked the initiative to broader national efforts, referencing recently announced presidential funding for football promotion.
He said retired footballers under the Footballers for Economic Development banner would be tasked with organizing tournaments from grassroots levels.
The event saw the attendance of former football icons such as Sunday Marimo and Evans Gwekerere.
Balon Chiseko, the National Chairman of Footballers4ED, explained the group’s purpose.
“The purpose of this organization is to remember every legend who contributed to the soccer fraternity of this country,” he said.
“We understand all former soccer players have various grievances but the initiative of this is to revive soccer through their knowledge.”
Former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa expressed gratitude for the recognition.
“Since his life this is the first time to gather for an initiative that remembers us,” he said.
“I want to thank the organizers of this initiative, we are ready to develop and revive football in Zimbabwe.”
The Footballers4ED group positions itself as an affiliate supporting Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Economic Development (ED) agenda.
The pledged funds are intended to catalyze entrepreneurial projects for the former athletes while mobilizing their expertise for grassroots football development.
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