A 1-0 defeat to Benin has left Zimbabwe's World Cup qualification hopes in tatters and reignited a familiar debate around head coach Michael Nees and the Warriors' seemingly endless struggles.
Since taking the reins in August last year, Nees' record is a cause for concern, with the team managing just two back-to-back victories and languishing at the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group.
The German tactician inherited a team with significant talent, but also a history of underperformance.
His tenure so far has been defined by a concerning inability to turn draws into wins.
Out of his 11 matches in charge, he's overseen six draws and three losses, with the only victories coming in the form of a successful 2025 Afcon qualifier campaign.
While qualifying for AFfcon is a positive, it's clear the team is not performing to its full potential, particularly in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Benin match was a prime example of the team's struggles. The performance was uninspiring, with a lack of attacking ambition and a static defense that was ultimately punished by a single headed goal from Steve Mounié.
The team appeared disjointed and lacked the urgency needed to compete at this level, despite some moments of quality like Knowledge Musona's early free-kick.
The loss, combined with previous draws against Benin and Nigeria, has left Zimbabwe with just four points from seven matches, a grim tally that has extinguished any lingering hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
One of the most criticised aspects of Nees' team selection against Benin was the reliance on aging players.
The starting line-up featured veterans like Washington Arubi (40), Knowledge Musona (35), Marvellous Nakamba (31), and Tino Kadewere (29). While experience is valuable, it can also lead to a lack of pace and dynamism.
The absence of key players like the suspended vice-captain Marshall Munetsi and Andy Rinomhota, who is reportedly club hunting, was sorely felt, but it also highlighted the team's over-reliance on a few individuals.
With the Warriors' World Cup hopes gone, Nees has a golden opportunity to shift focus and start building for the future.
The upcoming match against Rwanda on Tuesday at Orlando Stadium is the perfect stage for this transition.
It's time for Nees to give a chance to the next generation of talent.
Players like the in-form striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, Finland-based teenage midfielder Prosper Padera, and defender Tivonge Rushesha deserve to be given a chance.
Showcasing these younger players now is crucial for building a strong squad for the upcoming Afcon finals and beyond. It’s an investment in the future of Zimbabwean football.
Michael Nees' record so far is not an endorsement of his time in charge. While he has had some success in the AFCON qualifiers, his World Cup campaign has been an abject failure.
The lack of wins and consistently uninspired performances suggest a team that isn't progressing.
Moving forward, the focus must shift from salvaging this failed campaign to building a squad that can compete effectively in future tournaments.
The Rwanda match is more than just another game; it's a litmus test for Nees' willingness to embrace a new era and give Zimbabwe's promising young players the opportunity they've earned.