Online Reporter
ON Wednesday the Zimbabwe Football Association announced a 55-man provisional squad called up by coach Marian “Mario” Marinica for the upcoming 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
A list of 28 has to be submitted to the Confederation of African Football by December 10 and that means the coach, who is new to the job, will not have much time to assess the troops for this tournament.
A majority of these players are locally based and have just concluded the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season while the foreign based players are still mid-season in their respective leagues, which started in August and ends in May next year. The announcement of the provisional squad sparked debate, but when one looks at global trends it is a strategic move rooted in both necessity and foresight.
While the tournament is only days away, the sheer size of the list reflects the realities of modern football: injuries, fitness uncertainties, administrative hurdles, and the need to balance experience with emerging talent.
At first glance, naming 55 players for a tournament that requires a final squad of 23 may seem excessive. Yet, CAF regulations allow teams to submit large provisional lists before trimming them down. Coaches often use this window to cover injury risks as several players are nursing knocks from club duty while late fitness tests may rule them out. The long list is also useful in accounting for administrative issues like passport delays, visa complications, or club release disputes which can derail participation.
On the part of the Warriors, a large squad can be used to evaluate form and fitness whereby coaches want to assess, who is sharpest after long domestic and international seasons.
The tournament is unforgiving with matches played in quick succession, often under intense heat and pressure.
Our Super Mario knows that depth is not a luxury but a survival tool. A squad stretched thin by injuries or suspensions can collapse in the group stages. By casting a wide net, this ensures that replacements are ready and familiar with the team’s tactical framework.
When one looks at the strategic considerations behind the large pool of players in the 2025 AFCON finals provisional squad include player monitoring whereby the provisional squad allows medical staff to track fitness levels closely while coaches can observe training intensity and adaptability before final selection.
Also, a large pool enables tactical variety: defensive solidity, midfield creativity, or attacking flair depending on opponents while it also cushions against last-minute withdrawals, which have plagued Zimbabwe in past tournaments.
Critics argue that naming 55 players so close to the tournament creates confusion and dilutes focus. They fear it may signal indecision or administrative inefficiency. Yet, the reality is that final squads are always trimmed. The provisional list is not about indecision—it is about preparation.
The coach’s challenge is to whittle down to a cohesive 23-man unit that blends discipline, skill, and resilience. The large list is simply the raw material from which the final product will be crafted. Yes, the timing is tight. Yes, the list is long. But in the unforgiving theatre of AFCON, depth and readiness outweigh neatness and brevity. The Warriors’ provisional squad is a bold statement: Zimbabwe will not be caught unprepared.
