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Zimbabwe Warriors to face Burkina Faso and Niger in Morocco friendlies
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Zimbabwe's senior men's national football team, the Warriors, will take on Burkina Faso and Niger in international friendly matches scheduled for next month in Morocco, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has confirmed.
The two games fall within the FIFA international window set for June 2 to 10. The Warriors will open their campaign against Burkina Faso on June 6 before facing Niger on June 10, with both matches to be played on neutral ground in Morocco.
ZIFA said the friendly encounters are aimed at giving head coach Michael Nees and his technical staff a chance to evaluate players, experiment with tactical combinations, and build team cohesion as preparations intensify for upcoming international competitions.
"These matches present an important opportunity for Michael Nees and his technical team to assess player readiness, test combinations, and build cohesion as the team continues its journey of growth and development on the international stage," ZIFA said in a statement.
Burkina Faso and Niger are expected to provide competitive challenges for the Warriors. The Stallions of Burkina Faso are ranked 64th in the latest FIFA world rankings, while Niger is ranked 122nd. Zimbabwe, currently placed 116th, will be hoping to use the games as a benchmark of their progress.
The choice of Morocco as the host venue is not only due to Zimbabwe's ongoing lack of a CAF-approved stadium but also part of broader strategic planning, as the North African country will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Zimbabwe is set to participate in later this year.
"Both Burkina Faso and Niger offer strong opposition, and these encounters will provide valuable competitive experience for our squad. ZIFA, in collaboration with the technical team, remains committed to ensuring that the Warriors are well-prepared to represent the nation with pride and purpose," the statement added.
With the countdown to AFCON 2025 now under way, the upcoming friendlies in Morocco are being viewed as vital steps in sharpening the Warriors' readiness for continental duty.
The two games fall within the FIFA international window set for June 2 to 10. The Warriors will open their campaign against Burkina Faso on June 6 before facing Niger on June 10, with both matches to be played on neutral ground in Morocco.
ZIFA said the friendly encounters are aimed at giving head coach Michael Nees and his technical staff a chance to evaluate players, experiment with tactical combinations, and build team cohesion as preparations intensify for upcoming international competitions.
"These matches present an important opportunity for Michael Nees and his technical team to assess player readiness, test combinations, and build cohesion as the team continues its journey of growth and development on the international stage," ZIFA said in a statement.
Burkina Faso and Niger are expected to provide competitive challenges for the Warriors. The Stallions of Burkina Faso are ranked 64th in the latest FIFA world rankings, while Niger is ranked 122nd. Zimbabwe, currently placed 116th, will be hoping to use the games as a benchmark of their progress.
The choice of Morocco as the host venue is not only due to Zimbabwe's ongoing lack of a CAF-approved stadium but also part of broader strategic planning, as the North African country will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Zimbabwe is set to participate in later this year.
"Both Burkina Faso and Niger offer strong opposition, and these encounters will provide valuable competitive experience for our squad. ZIFA, in collaboration with the technical team, remains committed to ensuring that the Warriors are well-prepared to represent the nation with pride and purpose," the statement added.
With the countdown to AFCON 2025 now under way, the upcoming friendlies in Morocco are being viewed as vital steps in sharpening the Warriors' readiness for continental duty.
Source - NewZimbabwe
