Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Marian “Mario” Marinica is a happy man seeing the majority of his men shining at their respective clubs.
After a win-less run at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Warriors have since returned to their club bases with some even switching teams.
But it is the fact that most, including those who had incurred knocks before and during the Nations Cup, are back in action at their clubs. Marinica has also ended his holidays and is back at work.
This week he toured the United Kingdom and couldn’t be more amused after meeting an array of national team regulars and those with Zimbabwean roots but still to play for the country.
During his Diaspora adventure, where he has met those in the UK so far, the Romanian will also head to other parts of Europe, including Italy.
Marinica has been in charge of the Warriors for almost two months with his first competitive assignment seeing him take charge at the AFCON.
Zimbabwe left a huge impression at the biennial meet and will now shift their attention to preparing for the qualifiers for the 2027 edition, set for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
In 2028, the Confederation of Africa plans to turn the Nations Cup into a quadrennial tournament, and the Warriors would be eager to continue being part of the jamboree.
But just as he becomes familiar with his working environment and getting to know the players more, the former Malawi and Liberia coach is growing in optimism ahead of the start of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers in the next few months.
Versatile Udinese star Jordan Zemura, who missed the AFCON finals due to injury together with vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, is back on his feet and firmly so for his Italian Serie A side.
The ex-Bournemouth man, the first and only Zimbabwean to play in the Italian Serie A, delivered a solid show for Udine in their 3-1 league derby victory at Verona on Monday night.
Zemura playing wide on the left was full of running and the designated set-piece taker for the team and pre-assisted the second goal when hitting a powerful free-kick that was blocked but not quite by the wall.
He almost scored a goal of his own but his attempt, which he looked to squeeze at the near post, was saved by the Verona goalkeeper.
“I am very happy to be back, playing as much as I did,” said Zemura.
“The injury that I suffered made me miss the game I really love.
“But I thank God for healing me. I am very happy. I hope to continue playing well and helping the team climb up the table.
“We are now in the top half of the Serie A standings, and that’s what we have to always do, always looking to go up.”
This is part of the good news that Marinica wants to hear and see happening.
Right-back Emmanuel Jalai also started his life in the South African Premiership for new employers Durban City on a high note.
He looked so comfortable in his familiar fullback position as he helped the home side Durban City to a 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the port city. Striker Prince Dube, who scored the first goal for Zimbabwe in their Group B opener against Egypt at the AFCON, is also back to his best in Tanzania while Scotland-based winger Tawanda Maswanhise, who Marinica met last Saturday is in the form of his life. Even the villain of Zimbabwe’s 2-3 loss to South Africa at the AFCON, Divine Lunga is back to the top of his game at Mamelodi Sundowns where he is also nicking man-of-the-match accolades.
And for Marinica, all is shaping up nicely, especially after he exchanged notes with Zimbabwean players based in the UK.
On Monday night, a picture of the Romanian sitting with Liverpool prospect Isaac Mabaya emerged.
Mabaya, who is currently at Wigan on loan from the Merseyside giants has previously represented England at youth level.
He was once called up by former Warriors coach Baltemar Brito for the 2026 World Cup double-header qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria in Rwanda in 2023.
However, he couldn’t be included in the final squad that eventually travelled to Huye.
But Marinica feels he can pull it up especially after having a heart-to-heart with the player on Tuesday. Yesterday Marinica praised Mabaya, saying, “Great young player, very focused and determined on achieving top performance and very mature in his thinking.”
That could be the beginning of the 21-year-old’s flirtation with the Warriors and more young players could be on their way too after Marinica met with them.He also interacted with their parents on his on-going tour.
Peter Tanyanyiwa