After a one-day strike over unpaid bonuses, allowances, and appearance fees, Zimbabwean players returned to the training ground on Friday. The players had refused to train on Thursday in protest of the non-payment of their dues.
Despite their off-field challenges, the Warriors managed to secure a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Rwanda in the opening fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The players had also demanded a bonus from the game, despite the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZiFA) having provisions for a winning bonus only.
Following the stand-off, ZiFA reportedly took swift measures to deposit the outstanding payments into the players’ accounts, preventing any further disruptions ahead of the highly anticipated match against Nigeria. The stakes are high as Baltemar Brito’s side is set to host the Super Eagles at the Huye Stadium, Butare, on Sunday.
