The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has sacked German head coach Michael Nees after a dismal campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying phase, just months before the country’s entrance into the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco.
Nees joined the Zimbabwe national football team in August 2024, taking over a side that had hoped to build momentum ahead of the continental tournament. However, his 14-month tenure failed to meet expectations. During World Cup qualifying, Zimbabwe drew three and lost three of their final six matches, ending bottom of Group C without a single victory in that phase.
Overall, Nees’s record stood at just two wins in 14 games—numbers that proved unacceptable for a federation eager to see results.
In its statement, ZIFA thanked Nees for his contributions but emphasised their commitment to ongoing technical reforms and restructuring within Zimbabwean football. The association confirmed that interim coaching arrangements will be announced in due course.
The timing of the dismissal is significant. With AFCON less than two months away and the Warriors set to face a tough opening fixture against Egypt national football team on December 22 in Agadir, Zimbabwe now faces a race against time to appoint a replacement capable of preparing the squad adequately for the continental stage.
The decision reflects not only frustration with Nees’s results but also raises broader questions about the direction of Zimbabwean football. Persistent issues such as player selection, tactical cohesion, and the ability to win under pressure were cited by local media as factors that contributed to the team’s stagnation under his stewardship.
As the federation moves to fill the vacancy, attention will fall on how quickly the new coach can instil confidence, prepare the team for AFCON, and build a foundation for future qualifying campaigns. For now, the dismissal marks a clear message: under-performance will not be tolerated, especially when competitive opportunities are looming.
