Michael Nees, the head coach of the Zimbabwe national team, has stated that his players are not completely eliminated from the qualification race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Currently, Zimbabwe is at the bottom of Group C with just three points from five matches and has yet to achieve a victory. They are set to play against the Super Eagles in the second leg after previously drawing 1-1 with the runners-up of AFCON 2023. In a press conference on Monday, Nees emphasized that representing the national team comes with a sense of pride, and it is crucial to always give their best effort. He pointed out that there are still 15 points available in the competition, and until the last match is played, the team must strive to perform to the best of their abilities. Nees also noted that even teams that seem out of the qualifying race should still perform well as there are others competing for the same spots. He reiterated the commitment to excellence in every match and maintained that as long as they have a chance, they will continue to believe in it. Nees compared the Warriors to the Super Eagles, stating, “We are also a strong team with self-confidence and belief, and based on our performances, we’ll see which team comes out on top. As a coach, I focus not just on the results but also on the team’s performance—how they play on the field and how they respond during tough times. I believe we had a strong match against Benin Republic; it was a high-level game from which we can draw many positive lessons.”
