Warriors' Pride Challenge: Shaping the Future of N...

Warriors' Pride Challenge: Shaping the Future of National Football Branding

Patience Muchemwa- Senior Reporter

The Zimbabwe Football Association has launched the Warriors' Pride Challenge, an initiative that invites local designers and artists to create a new brand identity, kit designs, and merchandise for the national teams.

This move is aimed at fostering national unity while providing Zimbabweans with a unique opportunity to contribute to the Warriors' image on the international stage.

ZIFA could have chosen to work with in-house designers and marketing professionals, but instead, they opted to involve the wider Zimbabwean creative community. As ZIFA board member Kudzai Kadzombe, who also heads the association’s marketing committee, stated, "The Warriors are a Zimbabwean source of pride.

What better way than for us to reach out to all Zimbabweans?" This initiative is not just about designing apparel but also about embracing national identity and allowing the public to take ownership of their team’s representation.

By opening up the competition to the general public, ZIFA ensures that every Zimbabwean has a chance to leave their mark on the Warriors’ legacy.

The Warriors' Pride Challenge is structured to be an inclusive and engaging process. Once submissions are collected, fans will have the power to vote for their favorite designs via social media. This approach ensures that the new Warriors' brand truly reflects the preferences of the people.

The competition offers significant incentives, encouraging the best talent to step forward.

The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the AFCON 2025 finals in Morocco to watch the Warriors' opening fixture, a cash prize of US$3,000, and the honor of having their design and brand officially adopted by the Warriors, making them a permanent part of Zimbabwe’s football history. The submission deadline for entries is May 15, 2025.

Currently, the Warriors have been wearing PUMA kits, courtesy of sponsorship from Scott Sakupwanya’s Betterbrands. While these kits have served the team well, this competition signals a shift toward a more localised and culturally relevant brand.

A design created by Zimbabwean artists and selected by Zimbabwean fans is expected to better capture the essence of the country’s football spirit.