Warriors fail to break jinx

Zimbabwe’s Warriors have remained outside the top 100 despite making huge strides by establishing themselves as one of the best performing teams in the region in recent years.

The Warriors climbed three places up the rankings table released by FIFA yesterday to number 110.

They also moved up marginally on the continental standings by landing on 26th position in Africa.

Zimbabwe have just had another successful campaign in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in which they finished as Group G leaders, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo-Brazzaville who are ranked above them.

Sunday Chidzambwa’s men beat Congo-Brazzaville 2-0 in the last qualifying match to claim the group and a berth at the finals in Egypt.

Despite their showing, the Warriors have continued to struggle to break into the top 100 on the FIFA world rankings. DRC are fifth on the continent and 46th in the world while Congo are 92nd in the world and 20th in Africa.

Zimbabwe were ranked 113 when the last rankings were released on February 7. While they gained three places for beating Congo, DRC moved five places up after beating lowly ranked Liberia.

However, the Warriors have managed to raise their banner as one of the best performing teams in the region. Zimbabwe have qualified for two successive finals as group leaders.

Senegal are the top-ranked nation on the continent, followed by Tunisia, Nigeria and Morocco and the DRC. The top three in the world remained unchanged as Belgium continued to rule the roost followed by France and Brazil. The Herald