ZIFA: Lack of Home Ground Blamed for Warriors’ World Cup Qualifier Collapse

ZIFA blames the Warriors’ World Cup qualifier slump on Zimbabwe’s lack of an approved home stadium, citing travel fatigue, financial strain, and loss of home advantage as key factors behind the national team’s decline (image source)

HARARE — The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has attributed the Warriors’ poor performance in recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers to one central problem: the lack of an approved home stadium. Officials say the absence of a home ground has forced the national team to play every “home” fixture abroad, creating logistical and physical strains that have coincided with a slump to 129th in the FIFA world rankings — the country’s lowest position in a decade.

“Playing every ‘home’ match outside Zimbabwe is taking a physical and psychological toll,” ZIFA vice-president Kennedy Ndebele told Southerton Business Times. “Players fly from Europe, then fly again to the match venue, often without effective recovery time or proper training windows. You don’t train for two days; you’re at airports and in economy seats — that is not preparation.”

Recent matches underscored the logistical nightmare. Zimbabwe drew 0–0 with South Africa at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on a Friday before losing 1–0 to Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane three days later. Officials say the team endured multiple connections through Johannesburg, overnight layovers and long road transfers — conditions that left the squad exhausted and underprepared.

Players based in Europe and beyond face multi-leg journeys with limited pre-match training, while ZIFA’s financial constraints force most to travel in economy class, heightening jetlag and fatigue. Tight fixture schedules within international windows further compound the problem, leaving little room for recovery.

Former national team physiotherapist Dr. Tendai Moyo explained the toll: “Back-to-back long-haul travel and minimal training degrades match sharpness, increases injury risk and erodes tactical cohesion.” Without a homologated home stadium, Zimbabwe forfeits not only crowd support but also vital match-day revenue from ticket sales, hospitality, and local sponsorships — funds that could otherwise support youth development and domestic league growth.

ZIFA officials warn that the ripple effect is profound: no home games mean reduced fan engagement, fewer sponsors, and limited capacity to improve infrastructure. Ndebele contrasted Zimbabwe’s plight with that of regional peers: “South Africa can host across multiple approved venues and reap the economic and sporting dividends; we haven’t had that luxury.”

The disparity is evident in results — teams with home-ground advantage perform better, both financially and competitively.

Adding to the struggle is the legacy of Zimbabwe’s two-year FIFA suspension, which disrupted developmental structures and long-term squad planning. “Suspension disrupted continuity; rebuilding takes time and consistent home fixtures,” said a ZIFA official speaking anonymously.

Looking ahead, the Warriors are shifting focus to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in December. ZIFA says stabilising the team operationally and medically is a top priority, but acknowledges that infrastructure upgrades are urgently needed to prevent further decline.

Analysts recommend fast-tracking stadium certification, chartered travel arrangements, and enhanced player welfare protocols to offset the demanding fixture schedule. Without such reforms, they warn, Zimbabwe risks continued talent drain, sponsor withdrawal, and diminished international competitiveness — a heavy price for a nation that once punched above its weight in African football.