Warriors Arrive in Durban Ahead of South Africa World Cup Qualifier

The locally based players from the Zimbabwe senior men’s national football team, the Warriors, have arrived in Durban ahead of their penultimate 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C clash against South Africa on Friday.

The delegation, which includes stars Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Godknows Murwira, Walter Musona, Emmanuel Jalai, and Martin Mapisa, touched down in Durban on Monday evening. They will link up with the South Africa-based quartet of Washington Arubi, Thando Ngwenya, Elvis Chipezeze, and Divine Lunga before Friday’s showdown at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Foreign-based players are expected to join the squad directly from their clubs in the coming days.

Assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi did not travel with the team after resigning from his position following a controversial incident during a Premier Soccer League match on Sunday. His departure leaves head coach Jairos Tapera to oversee preparations with the remaining technical staff.

Zimbabwe, who were mathematically eliminated from the World Cup qualification race last month, will use the fixture to fine-tune their squad and tactics ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.

The Warriors will wrap up their Group C schedule against Lesotho on October 13 at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Despite being out of contention, the matches are viewed as crucial opportunities to rebuild confidence and assess new combinations as the team looks toward continental competition.