Luton Town midfield star and Warriors captain, Marvelous Nakamba, has issued a fervent and comprehensive appeal for national unity as the Zimbabwean national team prepares for the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco this December. Nakamba views the tournament as a chance for the nation to speak with one voice and provide the essential foundation needed for the Warriors to finally break the coveted knockout stage barrier.

The influential midfielder, who captained the team during their recent morale-boosting 2-1 victory over World Cup-bound Qatar, stressed that the upcoming challenge is bigger than the 11 men on the pitch.

 “The tournament ahead will not be just about us the players on the pitch. It is about the entire nation of Zimbabwe,” Nakamba stated. “For us to succeed, for us to finally break the knockout stage barrier, we need every piece of the puzzle to be in place. And the first piece is unity.”

 Nakamba's powerful message for tranquility comes amid speculation of internal friction within the camp following a mixed run of recent friendly matches, which included a defeat to Algeria and the subsequent win against Qatar. These reports suggested tension between the players and new coach, Marian Marinica.

 The captain, a calming presence in the Qatari victory, was quick to diffuse the reports, insisting that the squad is focused on the bigger picture. “The camp is not divided. We are one, we are Zimbabweans, we need to support each other," he insisted. "We are pushing each other trying to adjust to implement the new philosophy from the coach. The team always comes first.”

 Looking beyond the technical and tactical adjustments, the former Aston Villa star passionately appealed to corporate entities, government institutions, and wealthy individuals to invest heavily in the team’s AFCON campaign. Nakamba stressed that adequate preparation and welfare are non-negotiable necessities for the team to perform at their peak against Africa's formidable footballing powerhouses.

 “We are preparing to face the giants of African football, and we will need adequate resources to conquer,” he pleaded. “We ask our government, rich individuals and the corporates to come on board. This is an investment in the national brand and a boost for our collective morale."

He promised a return on investment, stating: “Give the team the best possible conditions, and we will repay the faith on the field. A good send-off for the team to Morocco wouldn’t also hurt.”

 The skipper also issued a direct and personal appeal to players who missed the latest international window, particularly those rumoured to be considering walking away from the national team setup. With the final squad selection looming, Nakamba made it clear that all hands are needed on deck for the continental showpiece.

 “Zimbabwe needs all its good players," he said. "Let’s put all grievances aside and avail ourselves. We are one team, one family. We have to be patriotic for this cause.” He remains optimistic that a full-strength squad can achieve their historic objective. “If all the players can avail themselves, I’m sure we have a squad good enough to go beyond the group stage.”

 “This is not the time to walk away," he concluded. "Once a Warrior, always a Warrior. Let us do this together.”

Zimbabwe finds itself in one of the most challenging groups at the AFCON tournament, set to face seven-time champions Egypt, fierce southern African rivals South Africa, and a highly competitive Angola side.

 Despite the daunting nature of the group, Nakamba remains staunchly optimistic that a united front—from the players to the supporters and stakeholders—can propel the Warriors to achieve their historical goal of qualifying for the knockout stages of the AFCON for the first time.

 “We know the group is tough. But with the support of our people, and with every player committed to the cause, we can pull off a miracle,” he affirmed. “We are going to AFCON to change history. But we must be one. Zimbabwe, let us be one.”