The Africa Cup of Nations tournament is set to kick off this weekend as 24 countries vie for the right to be crowned champion of the region. Postponed by a year due to COVID, Cameroon will host the 2021 edition across six stadiums in five host cities.
Houston Dynamo FC defender Teenage Hadebe is one of a handful of U.S. based players participating in the tournament (and the only representative from a Texas MLS club) as he defends the colors of the Zimbabwe men's national team.
The Warriors were drawn into Group B and will face Senegal, Malawi and Guinea. The top two teams of each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, advance to the round of 16.
How to watch
AFCON 2021 will be broadcast in the United States through beIN Sports and beIN SPORTS en Español on cable and satellite TV and streaming services. The tournament will also be available through additional streaming services on Fanatiz, fubo TV, Sling World Sports, Sling Latino and Vidgo.
Representing🇿🇼⚽️❤️🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/6aiAHFHUZ1
— Teenage Hadebe 17 (@hadebe_teenage) December 31, 2021
Zimbabwe's schedule
Group Stage
Monday, January 10, 7 a.m. CT vs. Senegal
Friday, January 14, 10 a.m. vs. Malawi
Tuesday, January 18, 10 a.m. vs. Guinea
What it means for Dynamo FC?
Hadebe will miss the start of preseason as Zimbabwe is scheduled to play on the same day that training gets underway for Houston Dynamo FC under new coach Paulo Nagamura. The club's Designated Player could miss more time if his national team advances further into the tournament.
As far as match fitness, Hadebe should arrive in great shape for the start of the 2022 MLS season. He is expected to return as a regular starter in Houston's central defense alongside league veteran Tim Parker.