Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
WARRIORS coach Marian Marinica has laid down a bold marker for the future, declaring that Zimbabwe’s road to the 2030 Fifa World Cup begins now, with the upcoming Four Nations Tournament in Botswana offering the first building block.
The tournament, set for the March Fifa international window, will feature hosts Botswana alongside Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. The competition will see two semi-finals, followed by a final and a third-place playoff.
But beyond the immediate results, Marinica’s focus is firmly on the bigger picture, building a competitive side capable of qualifying for the global showpiece.
“We have the major objective of qualifying for the 2030 World Cup and to achieve that we have to start building now a strong foundation,” said Marinica. “This tournament is important and we are taking it seriously.”
The Romanian tactician has been forced into late changes after injuries ruled out key players including Knowledge Musona, Tawanda Maswanhise, Prince Dube and Thando Ngwenya.
Their absence has opened the door for fresh talent, headlined by exciting Highlanders midfielder Mongameli Tshuma, affectionately known as “Smaller”, who earns his maiden national team call-up.
Tshuma is joined by Washington Navaya, Jarrison Selemani and Godknows Murwira among the replacements, in what signals a deliberate shift towards youth and renewal.
Marinica believes the tournament provides the perfect platform to test new combinations and inject fresh energy into the squad.
“We want to give new faces opportunities. This type of tournament gives players a chance to shine. We want a blend of youth and enthusiasm,” he said.
Despite limited preparation time, with only two training sessions scheduled, the coach remains optimistic about building cohesion within the squad.
“We are looking forward to putting the nuts and bolts of a competitive experience and building a successful team for the future. These matches will be extremely competitive, especially with Fifa ranking points at stake.”
Meanwhile, the Warriors will tomorrow take on Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.
The Warriors will be preparing to travel to neighbouring Botswana for a Four Nations Tournament where they will play against the hosts Botswana, Zambia and Malawi.
The Warriors step onto the pitch against Highlanders in a special exhibition match that celebrates the game we love and the passion that unites us. From just $1 for students and $5 rest of ground.
