The Zimbabwean government has provided $1 million to the national football team, the Warriors, to support their preparations for AFCON.
This comes after Zimbabwe secured their place in the tournament with a game to spare, marking their return to AFCON since 2019.
Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube emphasized the role of sports in national development, with a budget of ZWL 888.4 million (approximately US$24.7 million) directed to the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture. A key focus of the budget is improving sports infrastructure.
“Sports, arts, and culture sectors contribute significantly to employment creation and economic growth, while also addressing social challenges such as drug and substance abuse,” Ncube stated.
He further noted that provisions had been made to support the Warriors’ preparations and participation in the 2025 AFCON.
National team coach Michael Nees expressed optimism about the government’s backing. He hopes the investment will not only boost the Warriors’ performance but also enable Zimbabwe to host international matches again.
While the team celebrates their AFCON qualification, they face challenges in the World Cup qualifiers. Zimbabwe currently sits in fifth place in Group C, with only two points.
They trail rivals Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, all tied on seven points, while Lesotho and Nigeria have five and three points, respectively.
The financial support will be crucial in ensuring the team’s readiness for AFCON and improving their competitiveness on the world stage.