ZIFA confirms Warriors home venue for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

THE Warriors will return to the National Sports Stadium for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) officially confirmed the Harare venue as their home ground.

ZIFA made the announcement on social media on Monday, bringing to an end the national team's long wait to play competitive home fixtures in Zimbabwe.

"We've waited. We've longed. Now, the countdown to coming home begins!" ZIFA said.

"The Warriors are returning to the National Sports Stadium, and it's time to bring your colours, your voices and your pride.

"Get ready to make it a homecoming to remember! Zimbabwe football comes home."

The announcement follows the National Sports Stadium's recent attainment of CAF Category 3 approval, clearing the venue to host AFCON and FIFA World Cup qualifiers, among other approved continental fixtures.

The development ends the Warriors' prolonged home exile, which saw Zimbabwe stage its international matches in neighbouring countries, including South Africa and Botswana, after the National Sports Stadium was deemed unfit to host international football.

The last senior international match played at the stadium was Zimbabwe's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in November 2021.

The Warriors will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign later this month after being drawn in Group E alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.

Zimbabwe will open its campaign away to Sierra Leone on September 24 before hosting the Democratic Republic of Congo four days later.

The qualifiers will be played during the September/October and November 2026 FIFA windows, with the final matches scheduled for the March 2027 window.

The return to the National Sports Stadium is expected to provide the Warriors with a much-needed home advantage as they begin their bid to qualify for the 2027 AFCON finals.