President Emmerson Mnangagwa hosted the Zimbabwe national men’s football team at State House on Tuesday, rewarding each player with a cash bonus of $6,500 for their successful qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, set to take place in Morocco next December.
The Warriors secured their spot in the tournament by finishing second in Group J of the qualifiers, behind group winners Cameroon.
Several players, including Khama Billiat, Richard Hachiro, Brian Banda, Tymon Machope, Donovan Bernard, Emmanuel Jalai, Martin Mapisa, Walter Musona, Washington Arubi, Godknows Murwira, Obriel Chirinda, and Teenage Hadebe, attended the ceremony. Players who had returned to their overseas clubs also received their share of the monetary reward.
Members of the technical team, led by German coach Michael Nees, were similarly awarded $6,500 each. Nees made history as the first foreign coach to lead the Warriors to the AFCON finals.
During the event, Mnangagwa commended the Warriors for their inspiring performance, highlighting the positive impact of their achievement on young athletes across the nation.
“This accomplishment is a beacon of hope for our youth and sends a powerful message that, with focus and teamwork, our nation can reach greater heights in any social or economic sphere,” he said. He urged the team to remain “steadfast, patriotic, and good ambassadors of our country” as they prepare for the tournament.
As a gesture of gratitude, the Warriors presented Mnangagwa with a signed number 18 jersey.
The cash rewards come alongside broader government support, including $1 million allocated by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in the 2025 budget to support the Warriors’ preparations and participation in the AFCON finals.
