Jordan Zemura targets AFCON breakthrough for Zimbabwe

The Warriors have qualified for the AFCON finals six times in their history but have never managed to advance beyond the group stages. For Zemura, however, that record does not reflect the quality within the current squad.

The Udinese full-back believes Zambia's fairytale triumph at the 2012 tournament should serve as motivation for Zimbabwe, who boast a similar blend of locally based talent and players plying their trade abroad.

"Zambia are our neighbours, and we can learn a lot from what they achieved," Zemura told The Herald.

"What they did can be done by us as well. They had players based abroad and players from their local league. That's what we have too. We can do it."

Zambia stunned the continent when they lifted their maiden AFCON title in Gabon in 2012, defeating favourites Ivory Coast in the final. Zemura believes there is no reason why Zimbabwe cannot follow a similar path in the future.

The 26-year-old admitted he remains baffled by the Warriors' inability to progress beyond the first round despite several talented generations representing the country over the years.

"I am surprised how we have failed to navigate through the group stages at the AFCON finals at every edition," he said.

"We can achieve far much better things than just going beyond the group stages."

With Zimbabwe continuing to build a squad featuring experienced internationals and emerging young talent, Zemura is convinced the team is capable of changing the narrative.

His comments reflect a growing sense of ambition within the Warriors camp as they seek to establish themselves among Africa's leading football nations.

Rather than simply targeting a place in the knockout stages, Zemura believes Zimbabwe should set their sights much higher and draw confidence from the achievements of regional rivals who have already shown that continental glory is within reach.