List of the best soccer players from Zimbabwe. List includes the top soccer (or “football”) players from Zimbabwe, along with photos when available. This list of best Zimbabwean soccer players is ordered by popularity, so only the greatest players are at the top of the list. If you're searching for a particular famous Zimbabwean soccer player you can use the "search" box to find what you're looking for.
List includes Edmore Sibanda, Ian Gorowa and more.
This list answers the questions, "Who are the best Zimbabwean footballers?" and "Who is the greatest Zimbabwean soccer player of all time?"
You can click on the names of these popular soccer players of Zimbabwe in order to get more information about each one. If you're a sports lover then you can use this list of popular Zimbabwean soccer players to discover some new athletes that you might really enjoy watching.Most divisive: Tapiwa Kumbuyani
Over 2.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Soccer Players from Zimbabwe
- 1
Peter Ndlovu
Age: 51Peter Ndlovu (born 25 February 1973) is a Zimbabwean former professional footballer and is currently the Team Manager at Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. a Premier Soccer League club in South Africa.Peter Ndlovu originally comes from Binga district in North Western, Siabuwa Zimbabwe. He was however born in Bulawayo, and played professionally as a striker from 1988 until 2011. He played for Highlanders in Zimbabwe, for Coventry City in the Premier League and in the Football League for Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United. In South Africa he played for Mamelodi Sundowns, Thanda Royal Zulu, Highfield United and Black Mambas. He was capped 100 times by his country, scoring 38 international goals.- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Rhodesia, Zimbabwe
- Team: Thanda Royal Zulu
- Position: Forward
- 2Bruce David Grobbelaar (born 6 October 1957) is a Zimbabwean former footballer who played as a goalkeeper, most prominently for the English team Liverpool between 1981 and 1994, and for the Zimbabwean national team. He is remembered for his gymnastic-like athletic ability, unflappable confidence and eccentric and flamboyant style of play. He has been the goalkeeper coach for Ottawa Fury FC of the North American Soccer League since 2014. In March 2018 he was announced as goalkeeper coach for the Matabeleland football team.Born in South Africa, Grobbelaar grew up in neighbouring Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe), and served in the Rhodesian Army before he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League in 1979. He gained Liverpool's attention during a loan spell at Crewe Alexandra during the 1979–80 season, and signed for the Merseyside club in 1981. Making 628 appearances for Liverpool over the next 13 years, including 440 in the League, he won the League championship with the club six times, as well as three FA Cups, three League Cups and the 1983–84 European Cup. Grobbelaar left Liverpool for Southampton in 1994, transferred to Plymouth Argyle two years later, and thereafter played for an assortment of English lower-league teams, never for more than a few games.
- Birthplace: Durban, South Africa
- Nationality: South Africa
- Position: Goalkeeper
- 3
Khama Billiat
Age: 34Khama Billiat (born 19 August 1990 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa. He also plays for the Zimbabwe national team.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Forward, Midfielder
- 4
Knowledge Musona
Age: 34Knowledge Musona (born 21 June 1990) is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who plays as a left winger or forward for Anderlecht, in the Belgian Pro League and the Zimbabwe national team. Previously he has played senior football in South Africa and Germany.- Birthplace: Norton, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Forward
- 5
Norman Mapeza
Age: 52Norman Takanyariwa Mapeza (born 12 April 1972 in Salisbury, Rhodesia – now Harare, Zimbabwe) is a football coach. He played as defender and midfielder position. In 2012, he was suspended from his job as Zimbabwe's national football team manager for alleged match-fixing.Mapeza began his playing career with Darryn Textiles F.C. in Harare. He moved to Europe to play with Sokół Pniewy in the Polish Ekstraklasa for the 1993–94 season. Mapeza next played for several clubs in the Turkish Super Lig, including Galatasaray S.K., Ankaragücü, Altay S.K. and Malatyaspor.He was only the second Zimbabwean player to play in the UEFA Champions League, appearing in the competition with Galatasaray in the 1990s. Mapeza is the current Head coach of Zimbabwe premier league side FC Platinum.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Defender, Midfielder
- 6Benjamin Mwaruwari (born 13 August 1978), often known simply as Benjani, is a Zimbabwean retired professional footballer who played as a striker. Having started his career with Jomo Cosmos, Benjani moved to Europe in 2001 to join Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zürich before moving to Auxerre a year later. He signed with Premier League club Portsmouth in 2006, then went on to play in England's top flight for Manchester City, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers before returning to Portsmouth in 2011. The following year, he returned to South Africa with Chippa United and then Bidvest Wits. Benjani played a total 31 times for the Zimbabwe national team and was its captain for many of those matches. A member of the squad at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, he retired from international football in October 2010 to concentrate on his club career.
- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, England
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Forward
- 7Moses Chunga (born 17 October 1965) is a retired Zimbabwean footballer who played as a midfielder for Dynamos, Eendracht Aalst and the Zimbabwe national football team. He was born to parents of Malawian descent, but chose to represent his nation of birth at international level. He is considered to be one of Zimbabwe's greatest ever midfielders.
- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Position: Midfielder
8Esrom Nyandoro
Age: 44Esrom Nyandoro (born 6 February 1980 in Bulawayo) is a former Zimbabwean football midfielder. In his native Zimbabwe, Nyandoro is nicknamed "Yellowman".- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Position: Midfielder
- 9
Vitalis Takawira
Age: 52Vitalis "Digital" Takawira (born September 24, 1972 in Salisbury) is a retired Zimbabwean football player. He has played forward and attacking midfield professionally in Zimbabwe, Switzerland and the United States, as well as for the Zimbabwe national team.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Rhodesia, Zimbabwe
- Position: Forward
- 10
Tinashe Nengomasha
Age: 42Tinashe Nengomasha (born 2 September 1982 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean football (soccer) midfielder who plays for Bidvest Wits in the South African Premier Soccer League and Zimbabwe. He spent ten seasons at South African club Kaizer Chiefs.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Midfielder
- 11
Gift Muzadzi
Age: 50Gift Muzadzi (born 2 October 1974, in Salisbury) is a former Zimbabwean footballer who now is a coach for Eagles FC of Zimbabwe. On 13 April 2016, Dynamos F.C. sacks Muzadzi as they goalkeeping coach.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Rhodesia, Zimbabwe
- Position: Goalkeeper
- 12Agent Sawu (born 24 October 1971) is a Zimbabwean former football striker and current manager. He operated at Rising Stars Football Academy in Zimbabwe helping young kids across Bulawayo realize their talent and exploit to their maximum potential.He is currently part coaching staff at Bantu Rovers F.C in the Zimbabwean Top Flight league.
- Birthplace: Rhodesia
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Position: Forward
- 13
Energy Murambadoro
Age: 42Energy Murambadoro (nickname "Gokwe": born 27 June 1982 in Gweru) is a Zimbabwean football (soccer) goalkeeper who plays for AmaZulu F.C. in the South African Premier Soccer League. He has retired from international football with Zimbabwe. He has two children.- Birthplace: Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Wits University Football Club
- Position: Goalkeeper
- 14
Sunday Chidzambwa
Age: 72Sunday Marimo Chidzambwa is a Zimbabwean association football coach and former player.- Birthplace: Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Defender
- 15
Tapuwa Kapini
Age: 40Tapuwa Kapini is a football goalkeeper and member of the Zimbabwe national football team. He plays for [Highlands Park F.C. (South Africa)|in the South African Premier Soccer League. His first club was Black Aces, Zimbabwe.On 10 February 2015, Kapini join Highlands Park on a free transfer.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: AmaZulu F.C.
- Position: Goalkeeper
- 16
Harlington Shereni
Age: 49Harlington Shereni (born 6 July 1975 in Chiredzi) is a former Zimbabwean football midfielder.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: RC Strasbourg
- Position: Midfielder
- 17
Ovidy Karuru
Age: 36Ovidy Obvious Karuru (born 23 January 1989) is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for South African Premier Division side AmaZulu and the Zimbabwe national team.- Birthplace: Masvingo District, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Midfielder
- 18
Cuthbert Malajila
Age: 39Cuthbert Malajila (3 October 1985 in Eiffel Flats, Mashonaland West) is a Zimbabwean footballer who plays as a forward for South African Premier Soccer League side Maritzburg United.- Birthplace: Eiffel Flats, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Maritzburg United
- Position: Forward
- 19
Nyasha Mushekwi
Age: 37Nyasha Mushekwi (born 21 August 1987) is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who plays for China League One club Zhejiang Greentown.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Forward
- 20
James Matola
Age: 47James Matola (born 31 May 1977 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean football defender. He was once a member of the Zimbabwe national football.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Rhodesia, Zimbabwe
- Team: Free State Stars
- 21Willard Katsande (born 15 January 1986 in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province) is a Zimbabwean professional footballer, who currently plays as a midfielder for Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs and for the Zimbabwe national team.
- Birthplace: Mutoko, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Kaizer Chiefs Football Club
- Position: Midfielder
- 22
Costa Nhamoinesu
Age: 39Costa Nhamoinesu (born 6 January 1986) is a Zimbabwean football defender who currently plays in the Czech First League for Sparta Prague. Born in Harare, he was spotted whilst playing for Masvingo United in the Zimbabwean first league and sent to Poland, where he was eventually sold to Zagłębie Lubin. He played there for five seasons before joining Sparta Prague.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Position: Defender
- 23
Honour Gombami
Age: 42Honour Gombami (born 9 January 1983, in Gwanda) is a Zimbabwean football player. He is a member of the Zimbabwe national football team. Cercle's new head coach De Boeck was quite immediately impressed by Gombami's skills. He even stated that in the future he saw Gombami playing for Anderlecht, De Boeck's former team and Belgium's most notable top team. Rumours were going that Anderlecht had approached Gombami for a transfer in May 2008. However, Anderlecht manager Herman Van Holsbeeck denied this. Gombami lives together with his team mate Vuza Nyoni in an apartment in Bruges. They both recommended Obadiah Tarumbwa to the Cercle management. In December 2010, Gombami was severely injured in a match against RC Genk. It took 15 months for Gombami to make his comeback. In the summer of 2012, Gombami signed for Belgian Second Division team Antwerp.- Birthplace: Gwanda, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Cercle Brugge K.S.V.
- Position: Midfielder
- 24
Washington Arubi
Age: 39Washington Arubi (born 29 August 1985) is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National First Division side Stellenbosch.- Birthplace: Norton, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Dynamos
- Position: Goalkeeper
- 25Cephas Chimedza (born 5 December 1984) is a Zimbabwean footballer who can play in a number of positions, (left back, holding midfielder, attacking midfielder and left side midfield.)
- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: K. Sint-Truidense V.V.
- Position: Defender
- 26
Onismor Bhasera
Age: 39Onismor Bhasera (born 7 January 1986) is a Zimbabwean footballer who plays as a left back for SuperSport United in the South African Premier Soccer League. He previously played in the South African Premier Division for Bidvest Wits, Maritzburg United and Kaizer Chiefs, and the Football League for Plymouth Argyle. Bhasera has won caps at full international level for Zimbabwe.- Birthplace: Mutare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Portsmouth F.C.
- Position: Defender, Midfielder
- 27
Zvenyika Makonese
Age: 47Zvenyika Makonese (born 7 July 1977 in Chiredzi) is a Zimbabwean footballer. He joined Cape Town-based Santos in 2004 from Zimbabwean club Shabanie Mine. He plays as a defender and was selected for the 2006 African Cup of Nations.[1] It was reported that he was set to join Stoke City at the end of the 2006–07 season after impressing in a trial at the club, despite interest from Wigan Athletic and several French clubs.[2] However, no such move transpired. He also had an unsuccessful trial at Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes. On August 2nd, 2011 Makonese marked his return to the domestic Premiership yesterday when he signed a deal to join Shabanie Mine. [3]. He was signed with Black-Leopards in Petersburg, but was unable to play in the PSL because of a lack of documents December 2011 to March 2012.- Birthplace: Chiredzi District, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Santos Football Club
- Position: Defender
- 28
Edward Sadomba
Age: 41Edward Takarinda Sadomba (born 31 August 1983) is a Zimbabwean former international footballer who currently plays as a forward for Dynamos.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Midfielder
- 29
Ralph Matema
Age: 42Ralph Matema (born June 19, 1982 in Bulawayo) is a Zimbabwean footballer. He currently plays for the South African side Jomo Cosmos. He is also a member of the Zimbabwe national football team. "Raru", as he is popularly known, is the reigning top scorer of the Zimbabwean CBZ Premier League after netting 19 times in the 2006 season. In 2007, he scored 10 goals in 11 games but left Highlanders FC to join Orlando Pirates for the 2007/2008 season. [1] The left-footed striker, currently plays for jomo cosmos from Witbank spurs, leveled the scores in the second half with a typical poacher's header that flew into the far post. [2]- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Orlando Pirates Football Club
- Position: Forward
- 30
Ian Gorowa
Age: 53Ian Kuziva Gorowa Dibango (born 16 November 1971, in Rusape) is a former Zimbabwean footballer, formerly managing South African Premier Soccer League side Moroka Swallows.- Birthplace: Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- 31
Joel Ngodzo
Age: 35Joel Ngodzo is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Birthplace: Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Midfielder
- 32Mkhokheli "Kheli" Dube (born 18 June 1983 in Bulawayo) is a Zimbabwean footballer.
- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Chicago Fire
- Position: Forward
- 33
Chamu Musanhu
- 34
Mkhuphali Masuku
Age: 44Mkhuphali "Mike" Masuku (born 28 March 1980) is a Zimbabwean football manager and former player. He played club football for Highlanders FC and represented the Zimbabwe national football team.- Birthplace: Gwanda, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Highlanders FC
- Position: Midfielder
- 35
Cecil Nyoni
Age: 32Cecil Nyoni is a Zimbabwean footballer playing as a defender or midfielder for Conference North side Harrogate Town.- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Position: Defender, Midfielder
- 36
Edmore Sibanda
Age: 38Edmore Sibanda is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Goalkeeper
- 37
Glen Salmon
Age: 47Glen George Salmon (born 24 December 1977) is a retired South African football striker. Salmon born in the Rhodesian capital of Salisbury (now Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe) and grew up in South Africa. He spent almost one decade playing in Europe for NAC Breda and FC Groningen in the Dutch Eredivisie and PAOK in Greece. Salmon made his international debut against Algeria on 2 February 2000 and has been capped three times in total. Scored on debut for Kempton Park in a 7-2 win over Luso Africa Stars- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Supersport United
- Position: Forward
- 38
Justice Majabvi
Age: 40Justice Majabvi (born 26 March 1984) is a former Zimbabwean football player, who is currently playing for Vicem Hai Phong F.C. in the V-League.The midfielder is also a member of the Zimbabwe national football team and a former Dynamos FC great.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Midfielder
- 39
Gilbert Mapemba
Age: 40Gilbert Mapemba is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Birthplace: Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Defender
- 40
Ronald Chitiyo
Age: 32Ronald Chitiyo is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Position: Midfielder
- 41
Vuza Nyoni
Age: 40Vusumuzi "Vuza" Nyoni (born 21 April 1984, in Bulawayo) is a Zimbabwean professional football player currently playing for KFC Izegem. His position on the field is left-winger. He is nicknamed Prince. Nyoni was discovered at his team Highlanders FC by scouts of Premier League side Blackburn Rovers. Cercle Brugge, co-operating with Blackburn Rovers, offered Nyoni a trial because they needed a replacement for Brian Pinas who was sold to NAC Breda. A few weeks later, Vusumuzi Nyoni signed a contract for six months. This contract has already been prolonged with two years. Nyoni currently lives together with his team mate Honour Gombami in a flat in Bruges. It was Nyoni who recommended Gombami at Cercle, and they both recommended Obadiah Tarumbwa. Nyoni is the son of Highlanders gifted left back Dumisani "Savimbi" Nyoni, who played during the famous Bulawayo club's heyday in the mid eighties. On Wednesday 25 August 2010 Nyoni signed a three-year contract with Germinal Beerschot.- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: K.F.C. Germinal Beerschot
- Position: Midfielder
- 42
Musawengosi Mguni
Age: 41Musawengosi Mguni (born 8 April 1983 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean football player who plays for Chalkanoras Idaliou.- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Position: Forward
- 43
Archieford Gutu
Age: 31Archieford Uche Gutu is a Zimbabwean soccer player- Birthplace: Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Dynamos
- Position: Midfielder
- 44
Ndabenkulu Ncube
Age: 36Ndabenkulu Ncube (born August 2, 1988 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean association footballer.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Position: Midfielder
- 45
Denver Mukamba
Age: 32Denver Mukamba is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Birthplace: Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Midfielder
- 46
Lucky Mkosana
Age: 37Lucky Mkosana is a footballer from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe currently playing for Chicago Fire.- Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Chicago Fire
- Position: Forward
- 47
Charles Sibanda
Age: 39Charles Sibanda is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Birthplace: Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Forward
- 48
Tapiwa Kumbuyani
Age: 41Tapiwa Kumbuyani is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Birthplace: Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Defender
- 49
Pardon Chinungwa
Age: 41Pardon Chinungwa is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Birthplace: Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Defender
- 50
Lincoln Zvasiya
Age: 33Lincoln Zvasiya is a Zimbabwean international footballer who is currently a free agent.- Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Defender
- 51
Tendai Samanja
Age: 38Tendai Samanja is a Zimbabwean soccer player.- Birthplace: Zimbabwe
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Team: Zimbabwe national football team
- Position: Midfielder
