Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE mood around the Warriors has shifted from simple post-match frustration to something deeper.
Their new coach, Mario Marinica, stepped into camp expecting to tune up a team preparing for AFCON, yet he finds himself fighting for the soul of the dressing room.
Reports of tension have cast a shadow over Zimbabwe’s stay in the Middle East, and the Romanian is making it clear that the players’ attitudes must change if the team is to find its footing. Zimbabwe face Qatar tomorrow at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, a match that was supposed to be a quiet marker of progress after last Thursday’s 1-3 loss to Algeria in Jeddah. Instead, it arrives after a week in which frustrations spilled into view.
A number of players are said to be unhappy with Marinica’s handling of the squad, and some are even weighing whether they still want to wear the national colours.
This storm comes just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations, and it has left the Warriors trying to regroup in real time.
Against Algeria, they endured a first half that went off the rails as three goals flew in before the break.
The response after halftime was better, with a sharper edge and a consolation goal that at least showed some resolve.
Marinica walked into a group already nursing scars.
His predecessor, Michael Nees, struggled with both results and commitment levels, something Udinese wing back Jordan Zemura openly admitted after the costly defeat to Lesotho in the last World Cup qualifier.
Marinica sees the same patterns. He wants a squad that plays like it carries the flag with purpose.
“I think first of all we have to change our attitude, because in the first half against Algeria the attitude was not quite there, players don’t think that they work hard enough and it was not the effort we expected,” he said.
“In the second half, they came with much stronger desire; they put everything in and it was a complete difference.”
He mixed up his shapes in Jeddah, starting with a three centre-back lineup that leaned heavily on defensive bodies before shifting to a 4-2-3-1 after the break.
Washington Arubi, Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Brendan Galloway, Teenage Hadebe, Sean Fusire, Jonah Fabisch, Tawanda Maswanhise, Bill Antonio and Washington Navaya formed his first XI, while Daniel Msendami, Tawanda Chirewa and Emmanuel Jalai brought fresh legs later on.
Chirewa scored from the spot, then returned to England the next day.
Marinica keeps reminding all involved that he inherited the squad rather than handpicking it.
“We didn’t select the squad, the squad was there more or less the same players before, so we had to adapt to the players who were there,” he said.
“We have five centre backs, so we need to give as many players as many chances as possible. The system depends on the players available and also on the opponent.”
Still, he wants more from them, especially with his fast, vertical “Helicopter” football.
“I want them to express more on the pitch, which I think we did in the second half against Algeria. Normally, defeats shouldn’t demoralise you. If you are a fighter, every defeat has to strengthen you to say, I’m going to do better next time.”
He is not shy about raising expectations.
“We played probably one of the best teams in Africa, probably one of the three teams with the best chance to go and win the AFCON,” he said. “Let’s look at the positives. Let’s encourage the players. They need to change, they need to be proud of their country, they need to make the country proud. They need to work harder and keep their heads up.”
Marinica keeps circling back to change because he believes the resistance he senses stems from old habits.
“In a new thing, there is always resistance,” he said. “They want to do things the way they were done before, but those things that were done before need to be changed, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.
“If they had seven, eight wins in World Cup qualification, I wouldn’t be here for sure. But no wins in 10 matches and only five draws, so obviously they have to change. It’s either you change or you are changed.”
Marinica has hinted at alterations to the squad ahead of AFCON.
Injuries and unavailability have already shaped his plans, and he keeps stressing that every selection must serve Zimbabwe’s bigger mission.
“We are looking to see the available personnel. Some players are not available. Some players are injured. We had one player that actually left,” he said.
Even under the cloud hanging over camp, he has faith that tomorrow’s match can point the team in the right direction.
Qatar, in his eyes, is a real test.
“People have to know that they are the champions of Asia. They are a fantastic team, so we have to raise our game,” he said.
For now, the Warriors remain in search of unity, identity and calm.
Their new coach has made his stance clear. The question is whether the players meet him halfway before Morocco arrives.
