Zimbabwean sports starts have joined the rest of the country in congratulating the Warriors for making it to next year’s edition of the Africa Cup of Nations following a 3-0 victory over Malawi.

Their qualification – with a game in hand – was aided by Swaziland’s 1-0 win over Guinea in Mbabane.

Zimbabwe Sevens rugby captain Hilton Mudariki – who side will next week trave to Monaco for the Olympic qualifier play-off – said: “So happy for them! Just shows with a bit of backing and hard work it is possible to go to the next level!

“It was awesome to see the National Sports Stadium full with the nation behind them! It really inspired me and I'm proud to be Zimbabwean today.

“Unfortunately I was busy studying so I just missed the first goal but managed to catch the rest of the game and as I said I was pretty pumped to see us in the lead. Thought they played well. Thought they stuck to their game plan and it was brilliant defense as they didn't concede a goal,” said Mudariki.

Zimbabwe Davis Cup team non-playing captain Martin Dzuwa added: “What the Warriors have achieved is good for the game, it’s good for local sport. We hope that cricket will also emulate such when they take on India soon, and in tennis (against Georgia in the Davis Cup relegation play-off)

“I am happy they qualified with a bi win. Sport is a big industry and needs investment. Results only come when there is investment and this is what has been happening in local football.

“This shows that Zifa (now National Football Association of Zimbabwe) is doing something right and we can just be happy,” said Dzuwa.