Zimbabwe head coach Baltemar Brito has declared that the Warriors are not scared of the Super Eagles.
The Brazilian will be looking to mastermind an upset when the Warriors entertain the Super Eagles at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday afternoon. The Warriors head into the game as the underdogs. The Super Eagles have in their ranks some of the best players on the continent.
Brito, who took charge of the Warriors less than three months ago, said his team will come out strong against the visitors. “At this level, all opponents play to win. Even we [Zimbabwe] will play for a win against Nigeria,” Baltemar stated in a short video posted on the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA)’s X handle.
“People will expect revenge from Nigeria because they drew their first game [against Lesotho]. But they are not playing against a small or weak nation. They will come strong, but we will come strong too. We are here to face them.”
Meanwhile Baltemar Brito has named Jordan Zemura, Tino Kadewere and Andy Rinomhota in the starting line up as he hopes to unsettle the Super Eagles with pace, solidity and variety, The Page can report. After struggling for life in the opening match of Group C World Cup 2026 qualifier against Rwanda on Wednesday, Brito sought the industry and penetration of Zemura on the left, replacing Divine Lunga.
The poise of Kadewere was preferred as a way to unlock and unsettle the Nigerians to replace injured Admiral Muskwe while Rinomhota is expected to provide the variety and invention which Brian Banda offered in drips and drabs in the Rwanda match.
The midfield rock of Nyasha Munetsi and Marvelous Nakamba which lacked in fluidity on Wednesday, is expected to provide both balance and shield to the defence of Gerald Takwara and Teenage Hadebe which hardly dropped a sweat against Rwanda. Andrew Mbeba, so solid on Wednesday at right back walks the position on all available, unless Takudzwa Chimwemwe is called. Mbeba and Zemura, who missed his connecting flight last week, have a predictable load to carry and cover to provide.
The Udinese boy carries the surprise on his stride and a lot is expected of him today, given his skillset, so that he can liberate Munetsi to overload the Eagles casus belli and create chances. Walter Musona and Kadewere will work to draw centre backs from their holes to create territory through the centre for Prince Dube to pounce and Munetsi to steal at goal.
