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Zimbabwe Warriors crash out of World Cup Qualifiers
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Zimbabwe's dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended on Friday evening after a 1-0 defeat to Benin in a qualifier played in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
From the outset, the task was a difficult one for the Warriors, who were hoping to secure their first win in the campaign and rely on other results to keep their qualification hopes alive. Neither scenario materialized, leaving Zimbabwe's World Cup ambitions unfulfilled.
The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Augsburg forward Steve Mounie scored the lone goal to sink Zimbabwe. The defeat marked the Warriors' third loss in the campaign, alongside four draws, leaving them at the bottom of the group with just four points from seven matches.
Benin's victory lifted them into second place with 11 points, five behind group leaders South Africa, who had earlier thrashed Lesotho 3-0. Meanwhile, Nigeria faces fourth-placed Rwanda in a crucial match, with both sides hoping to claim the best-placed runner-up spot, putting additional pressure on Benin.
Zimbabwe will now travel to South Africa to face Rwanda this Tuesday in a final effort to end their campaign on a positive note.
From the outset, the task was a difficult one for the Warriors, who were hoping to secure their first win in the campaign and rely on other results to keep their qualification hopes alive. Neither scenario materialized, leaving Zimbabwe's World Cup ambitions unfulfilled.
Benin's victory lifted them into second place with 11 points, five behind group leaders South Africa, who had earlier thrashed Lesotho 3-0. Meanwhile, Nigeria faces fourth-placed Rwanda in a crucial match, with both sides hoping to claim the best-placed runner-up spot, putting additional pressure on Benin.
Zimbabwe will now travel to South Africa to face Rwanda this Tuesday in a final effort to end their campaign on a positive note.
Source - ZBC
