• Nees, a German coach, had been in charge for about 14 months. During his tenure, Zimbabwe managed only two wins in around 14-16 games.
• In their final six World Cup qualifying matches under Nees, Zimbabwe recorded three draws and three losses, placing them at the bottom of their group.
• The decision to sack him comes with the team already drawn in Group B of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) — alongside Egypt, South Africa and Angola — meaning the coaching change happens at a particularly sensitive time.
• ZIFA stated that the move is part of a broader reform agenda: they emphasised their commitment to strengthening technical development, restructuring the national programme and improving results “in the best interest of the national team”.
• With Nees gone, Zimbabwe must now appoint a new coach ahead of their clash with South Africa. The change may disrupt preparations but the hope is that it will spark improved performance.
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Conclusion

Zimbabwe’s sacking of Michael Nees signals urgency and pressure within the national setup. With major fixtures ahead, including a showdown with South Africa and AFCON participation, the Warriors are now in a transition period. The new coach will have little time to steady the ship, rebuild confidence and rally the squad.

For supporters and stakeholders alike, the message is clear: results must turn around — fast. The expectation now is that Zimbabwe will use this moment to refocus and reshape their campaign rather than continue in the cycle of under-performance.

Written by The Gild Blog Team