FORMER Warriors striker Alois Bunjira has warned the Zimbabwe senior national football team’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) rivals that the team will be a different proposition when they compete at this year’s continental showcase.
Zimbabwe were drawn into Group B of the 2025 Afcon tournament, alongside Egypt, Angola, and South Africa.
The top two teams will qualify for the next stage after the round-robin group matches, while four of the best third-place finishers will also advance.
The presence of three Cosafa Region teams in the same pool as record Afcon winners Egypt promises exciting matches, particularly the Warriors’ clash with Bafana Bafana.
While some have dubbed Group B the “group of death”, Bunjira is optimistic and sees a significant opportunity for the Michael Nees-coached side.
“This is a favourable draw for Zimbabwe. We now have a very strong team, with many players competing for top European clubs,” Bunjira told KickOff.
“The last time South Africa beat us, our national team and technical department were not functioning well. Now we have a stable, substantive coach who is making the right decisions football-wise, and we won’t be bullied anymore.
“I am pleased with this draw. It’s an ideal group to showcase our talent. I’m sure the match between South Africa and Zimbabwe will be a blockbuster. As a fan of both South Africa and Zimbabwe, I hope both teams advance to the next round. Egypt is not as formidable as they used to be.
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“We now have a strong squad in every position. Jordan Zemura has become a standout player at Udinese in Italy, and we hear he might join AS Roma in the summer. Marshal Munetsi is excelling at Club de Reims in France, while Tawanda Maswanhise is making headlines at Motherwell in Scotland.
“Khama Billiat has regained his form. We have a solid defence featuring Divine Lunga, Brendan Galloway, and Munashe Garanganga from FC Copenhagen.
“We are also optimistic that Bill Antonio, who was injured while finding his form in Belgium, will be fit for Afcon,” Bunjira added.
Bunjira hopes that striker Tino Kadewere’s club form can improve ahead of the tournament.
“Unfortunately, Tino Kadewere from Nantes has been struggling with injuries recently. Hopefully, he will also be fit for Afcon. Andy Rinomhota is performing well in England, and we are hopeful that Marvelous Nakamba from Luton Town will be in top form heading into the Afcon finals,” he said.
“There are still nine months to go; it’s possible that a new star could emerge this season as well. I’m confident that both South Africa and Zimbabwe will qualify for the knockout stages.”
Bafana coach Hugo Broos is unfazed by the derby against the Warriors.
While many have described the draw as the toughest, Broos believes his team has an edge over Zimbabwe and will not struggle to beat them again.
“I am satisfied with the draw,” Broos told SAFA media. “When I look at our opponents for Afcon, I think Egypt is the favourite to win the group. They didn’t perform well in the last Afcon, but they have built a strong team since then.”
Broos, who has enjoyed a period of dominance over Zimbabwe during his tenure as Bafana Bafana coach, expects more of the same.
“Zimbabwe is a neighbour of South Africa, and it’s always a difficult game for us,” he said. “However, in all the games we’ve played against Zimbabwe, we’ve drawn once and won three times. So, winning against Zimbabwe is very possible in an Afcon.”
Former Angola star Fabrice Alcebiades Maieco, also known as “Akwa”, believes the group is a three-horse race between Egypt, South Africa, and Angola, but acknowledges that Zimbabwe could be a surprise package.
“I think the group is complicated if we look at the history of two teams that have previously won the African Championship title (Egypt and South Africa),” he said. “The Angolan team is capable of performing well if it plays as a team.”
Former Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey predicts a tough campaign for all four teams in the group.
“It’s a very tough group,” he said. “For our neighbours Zimbabwe, as you know, when neighbours are involved, they always perform very well.”
Meanwhile, Bunjira believes Zimbabwe and South Africa will occupy the top two spots in the group.
“Zimbabwe has improved since the last time we played South Africa,” he said.
“I expect a blockbuster match when we meet at Afcon.”
