By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimbabweans have expressed outrage and disappointment after confirmation that the Warriors will host their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against South Africa in Durban.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) announced that the highly anticipated Group C clash will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, 10 October 2025, with kick-off set for 3 pm CAT.
The Warriors will then wrap up their campaign against Lesotho four days later at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Originally, ZIFA had earmarked Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, as the host venue. However, with Botswana scheduled to use the facility for their own qualifier during the same period, Zimbabwe was forced to move the game to South Africa.
The decision has sparked widespread criticism, with fans describing it as both “embarrassing” and “a disgrace” to Zimbabwean football.
Many argue that playing as the home team in their opponent’s country strips the Warriors of any home advantage and denies them the passionate backing of their local supporters.
“This is absurd,” fumed one fan on social media. “How can we be the home team in South Africa? It’s like handing Bafana Bafana the points on a silver platter. ZIFA has failed us again.”
Football analysts also warned that the move could impact the Warriors’ chances of securing a positive result, as the majority of fans at Moses Mabhida Stadium are expected to rally behind South Africa.
The latest development has reignited long-standing frustrations over Zimbabwe’s lack of an international-standard stadium, a problem that has plagued the country’s football for years and left the Warriors exiled from home turf during crucial qualifiers.