Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S foreign-based contingent is set to fly direct to Morocco starting tomorrow where they are expected to meet up with the rest of the squad called by coach Marian “Mario” Marinica for the final phase of the preparations for the AFCON 2025 finals.
The Warriors, who have been training in Harare, are expected to leave for Morocco tomorrow ahead of the continental football show-piece set to kick off this weekend in the North African country.
ZIFA Media and Communications Officer Thabani Moyo, told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday that players like Bill Antonio, Brendan Galloway, Sean Fusire, Tawanda Chirewa, Tawanda Maswanhise, Andy Rinomhota, and Jonah Fabisch can only join the squad in Morocco because of the logistical challenges arising from FIFA’s decision for foreign clubs to release players with less than a week before the start of the tournament.
This has left many AFCON-bound teams in a quandary, and Zimbabwe have not been spared as they have not been given the opportunity to work with all the players called for duty.
“Most of these guys had games during the weekend,” Moyo said.
“Remember FIFA said clubs can only release players by December 15 (today). So, it was not possible for them to come here, because of the time constraints, and then travel again to Morocco with the rest of the squad on Tuesday (tomorrow).
“As a result, these guys will now fly directly to Morocco and then they will take it up from there,” said Moyo.
Most of the Zimbabwean players, however, did not feature for their clubs at the weekend. Antonio was an unused substitute in Belgian Super League side KV Mechelen’s 3-2 win over Cercle Brugge on Saturday, so was Chirewa in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1-2 defeat to Arsenal and Fabisch in the goalless draw between his Erzgebirge Aue against MSV Duisburg.
Maswanhise featured 73 minutes for Motherwell in the goalless draw against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership while Brendan Galloway put in a big shift in Plymouth Argyle’s 1-0 win over Rotherham in the English Foot-ball League One.
Fusire, whose team Sheffield Wednesday have a late kick-off against Derby County tonight could be the last to report for camp.
Marinica last week received South African-based players Divine Lunga, Daniel Msendami and Junior Zindoga, and goalkeepers Washington Arubi and Elvis Chipezeze.
Also among the early birds was US-based Teenage Hadebe, Macauley Bonne, Prosper Padera, Alec Mudimu and captain Marvelous Nakamba, who joined the local contingent to kick-off the preparations.
Marinica announced his final squad last Thursday and since then has been conducting two training sessions per day, trying out different tactics and combinations.
But the omission of injured vice-captain Marshall Munetsi has created unnecessary sideshows, as the midfielder insisted he was fit to play at the tournament while his coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers Rob Edwards, claimed he needed at least six weeks to recover.
Marinica however, could not risk an injured player. The coach has maintained Munetsi could only be considered if the Warriors qualify for the knock-out stages.
Zimbabwe are in Group B which features South Africa, Angola and Egypt.
Former Warriors forward Matthew Rusike believes Zimbabwe will need to pull their A-game in order to make it past the group stage.
“It’s never an easy group for any nation, it’s tight, you know African football, anything can happen during the tournament,” Rusike told South Africa’s Kick-Off.com.
“Zimbabwe do have a good team that can challenge. Angola can also give you a tough run, so it is a group where no one should underestimate one another.
“But the reality is that Egypt and South Africa are the favourites from the group because Egypt has many players who are playing abroad in big leagues and can pose a challenge.
“On the other side, Bafana Bafana have been doing well, they did exceptionally well in both the World Cup and the AFCON qualifiers.
“South Africa has good players who are doing well in the PSL, they know how to win with local players, more especially from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Actually, Bafana are one of the top teams in the whole tournament.
“But, without underestimating South Africa, in Group B, Egypt appear to be the favourites to win the group. But I will always support my country, Zimbabwe to go and show that they can do the job.”
Zimbabwe will face Egypt in their opening fixture next Monday, while Bafana take on Angola in the other, setting the tone for a tightly contested group where every point will matter from the start.
