For the older generation of Mamelodi Sundowns and Zimbabwe Warriors fans, the name Reinhard Fabisch carries a distinct weight of nostalgia and tactical respect.
The late German tactician, who famously led PSL giants Sundowns in the late 2000s, was a man of the world, and his legacy has found a surprising and vibrant second chapter in the colours of Zimbabwe’s Warriors.
Jonah Fabisch, the 24-year-old midfielder currently plying his trade in Germany, has emerged as one of the standout performers for Zimbabwe in a rollercoaster AFCON campaign. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, during his dad’s Harambee Stars stint, he had the choice to turn out for the East African nation.
FABISCH EXPLAINS DECISION TO PLAY FOR ZIMBABWE
Speaking after a gruelling group stage, Fabisch reflected on the decision that many young dual-nationals face: the pull of a European powerhouse versus the call of home. Having spent time in the German youth setups, the path to a career in the Mannschaft system was open. However, for Jonah, the choice was never truly in doubt.
“For me, it was because of my parents,” Fabisch told FARPost. “My mom is Zimbabwean… I’m very close to my family in Zimbabwe. My dad obviously also had a connection to the Zimbabwe national team from being a coach. My gut feeling just told me I wanted to play for Zimbabwe.”
For the Warriors, this ‘gut feeling’ has been a godsend. In a tournament where Zimbabwe showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with defensive lapses, Fabisch was a constant, a composed, technical presence in the engine room that reminded many of the discipline his father once demanded on the Warriors touchline.
Despite Zimbabwe’s early exit, Fabisch’s individual stock has soared. He was instrumental in a side that scored against every opponent they faced, showing a creative spark that has often been missing from the Warriors’ midfield.
“We definitely put on a very, very good effort,” Fabisch added. “You couldn’t say we didn’t give our all or play with courage. We scored against every team, which is positive… but we conceded some goals too easily.”
It is this maturity, the ability to balance pride in performance with a cold-eyed assessment of tactical failures, that marks him as a future captain. He isn’t just happy to be at the party; he is frustrated that the party ended early.
‘WE DON’T COME THERE TO SOAK UP THE
He believes the exposure this Warriors group got will be key in future tournaments.
“I think a lot of players who got the experience this time know what it takes for next time,” Fabisch noted, looking ahead to the future. “We don’t come here just to soak in the atmosphere. [Next time] we want to make it to the next round and go from there.”
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