Story by: Milton Marima [SUNESIS]
“WARRIORS BEGIN AFCON 2027 QUALIFYING CAMPAIGN AGAINST SIERRA LEONE TONIGHT”
The Zimbabwe Warriors begin their journey towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations today when they face Sierra Leone in their opening Group E qualifier at Stade Ben M’Hamed El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco. The match kicks off at 9 PM Central African Time.
The encounter marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Warriors under newly appointed coach Ramon Catalá, who will be taking charge of his first competitive match since assuming the role. Zimbabwe have been preparing in Morocco, with the coach focusing on building combinations and ensuring the squad is organised ahead of the opening fixture.
Interestingly, there is no previous senior international head to head record between Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone , today’s encounter will be the first meeting between the two nations in international football, making the fixture a new chapter in the history of both teams.
Zimbabwe however do bring greater AFCON experience into the contest. The Warriors have appeared at the continental finals six times, while Sierra Leone have made three appearances. Sierra Leone’s most recent AFCON appearance came at the 2021 tournament, played in Cameroon in 2022, while Zimbabwe featured at the 2025 edition in Morocco.
The match comes with added importance because Group E contains four teams Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea with the top two teams qualifying for the 2027 AFCON finals.
Zimbabwe will have to cope with some injury absences, with Isaac Mabaya, Prince Dube and Tinotenda Kadewere ruled out. However, the squad still contains experienced players such as Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba and Andy Rinomhota, alongside younger players looking to establish themselves in the national team.
Sierra Leone also come into the match with a new qualifying campaign to begin under coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa. Their squad includes players such as Osman Kakay, Juma Bah, Tyrese Fornah and Sullay Kaikai.
The Warriors will therefore need to be organised defensively, composed in possession and clinical when opportunities arise. With both sides looking to start their campaign with points, discipline and concentration could be crucial throughout the match.
For Catalá, the immediate task will be to translate the work done in training into a competitive performance, while for the players, the fixture provides an opportunity to lay down an early marker in the qualifying campaign.
With no previous international meeting between the two sides, tonight’s encounter presents a fresh rivalry and an important opening test for Zimbabwe.
The Warriors will be looking to begin their road to AFCON 2027 on a positive note before returning home to face the Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium on Monday, September 28.
The road to East Africa begins in Morocco and the Warriors now have their first opportunity to collect valuable points in Group E.
Story by: Milton Marima (SUNESIS)
