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The Zimbabwe national team full-back has urges his team to avoid complacency in their crucial match against Kenya in the AFCON qualifiers.
Zimbabwe and Udinese defender Jordan Zemura has warned his teammates to guard against complacency as they prepare to face Kenya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The match is set to kick off the competition for Group J, with the game scheduled at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala.
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12:07 - 05.09.2024
Okumu's teammate fires shot as Zimbabwe set sight on victory against Harambee Stars in AFCON qualifiers
Zimbabwe captain Marshall Munetsi leads the Warriors against Kenya in AFCON qualifiers under new coach Michael Nees' guidance.
In a pre-match interview, Zemura expressed the importance of starting strong, especially against a team that has proved challenging in the past.
"This is the start of a qualification for the Afcon after we missed the last one in Ivory Coast. So for us, we don’t want to miss out again," he said as per News Day.
"The beginning is always important, and we are looking forward to the game. Kenya, we owe them a game for the last time. We are very confident and ready to go. We just need to work hard."
The urgency in Zemura's voice reflects the Warriors' recent struggles against the Harambee Stars.
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08:00 - 05.09.2024
Why Harambee Stars coach believes getting six points from opening two 2025 AFCON qualifiers would be 'a dream'
Why Firat is cagey over Harambee Stars' chances of getting six points from their first two AFCON 2025 qualifying matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Kenya has emerged victorious in recent encounters, including a triumph in a four-nation tournament in Malawi earlier this year, followed by a victory over Zimbabwe's second-string team at the COSAFA tournament.
With these painful defeats in mind, the Zimbabwean squad is under pressure to reverse their fortunes and start their qualification journey on a positive note.
"Kenya is a very good side. We learnt that when we played them in Malawi. They are very good, a disciplined team with a lot of good players. It’s a tough game for us," he remarked.
The respect for their opponents is evident, yet it does not dampen the Zimbabwean resolve to claim a victory that would set a strong precedent for the rest of their qualification campaign.
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19:30 - 01.09.2024
BREAKING: Two new faces included as Firat names travelling squad for 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia
The coach has added two new players to the national team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The 24-year-old stands as one of the senior figures in a squad brimming with youthful talent.
Having earned his first international cap in 2021, his rise to prominence has been swift.
From his beginnings at Bournemouth in the English Premier Soccer League to becoming the first Zimbabwean to play in Italy's Serie A with Udinese his experience is invaluable to a team aspiring to make a mark on the international stage.
Reflecting on the squad's dynamics, Zemura added, "It’s good for me. It feels like a big achievement. The quality of players in the squad is always improving and always getting better. I feel like we have a good opportunity to win. The players are hungry to improve and give something to celebrate for the people back home."
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