Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees says his team will approach Monday’s clash against Lesotho as a final in its own right, as the Warriors look to end their World Cup Qualifiers on a high and continue building momentum for AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Nees underlined the importance of consistency and belief in his rebuilding side.
“Some might see it as a dead rubber, but for us every match is part of our AFCON journey,” said Nees. “Every player matters, and we are developing a culture of unity, confidence, and national pride. We want to deliver a marvelous show for our supporters.”
The Warriors head into the game buoyed by their resolute 0–0 draw against South Africa in Durban, a performance that showcased discipline, structure, and defensive maturity. Nees insists the team will carry that same fighting spirit into the final Group C fixture.
“We showed against Bafana that Zimbabwe can compete with anyone when focused and organised. Now it’s about finishing strong and maintaining that identity,” he added.
Lesotho’s View: Ending with Pride
Lesotho coach Leslie Notsi says his Likuena side are equally motivated to conclude their qualification campaign with a statement performance. Though officially out of contention after a 2–1 defeat to Nigeria on Friday, the Crocodiles remain intent on finishing positively.
“The big guns are now pushing each other, which we all expected,” said Notsi. “But our focus is not on them. We want to end this campaign on a positive note — to get a decent result and secure more points for Lesotho. Tomorrow is another new day, and we’ll prepare well for Zimbabwe.”
Notsi expressed pride in the progress of his squad, highlighting the successful integration of young players from the COSAFA Cup into the senior setup.
“The future of Likuena looks bright. The youngsters we’ve brought in have shown great promise, even in tough matches. That gives us confidence in the direction we’re heading,” he said.
Lesotho captain Sekhoane Moerane admitted their defeat to Nigeria was difficult to take, especially after matching the Super Eagles for long periods.
“It broke our hearts because we believed we could get a result,” said Moerane. “We pushed hard, and when we took the game to them, they started to sit back. We just couldn’t take our chances.”
As both teams head into Monday’s 6 PM CAT kick-off at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Zimbabwe are targeting their first win of the qualifiers, while Lesotho will look to complete a double over the Warriors after winning the reverse fixture 2–0.
Though neither side can qualify for the 2026 World Cup, pride, progress, and preparation for AFCON remain firmly at stake.
Warriors vs Likuena — more than a match, it’s a test of belief, character, and the road to redemption.