Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo and Eddie Chikamhi
WARRIORS coach Marian “Mario’’ Marinica promised there would be shocks in the AFCON 2025 final team and yesterday he lived up to his word after naming a 28-member squad that omitted some key members of the qualifying campaign including injured vice-captain Marshall Munetsi.
Munetsi, along with versatile Udinese man Jordan Zemura and Scottland skipper Walter Musona, who are battling with injuries were the most notable absentees and setbacks for the Warriors.
To his eternal credit, Marinica stuck to his principle and did not want to take chances and travel with unfit players for the Nations Cup jamboree where the Warriors will be hoping to break new ground and progress beyond the group stage for the first time and on their sixth attempt.
Since their debut in Tunisia in 2004, the Warriors have only been as good as a placeholder in the group stages.
Now they will travel to Morocco without three of the players who played key roles in their qualification campaign — Munetsi, Zemura and Musona — because of injuries.
Munetsi, whose English Premier League club Wolves have ruled him out for between six to eight weeks, however, stirred some controversy yesterday, when telling Zimpapers Sports Hub that his injury was not as serious as it had been presented.
He seemed to make a veiled attack on claims by his Wolverhampton Wanderers club manager Rob Edwards who had indicated the midfielder needed at least four weeks to recover.
ZIFA had also taken the initiative to inquire about Munetsi, when the midfielder sustained a calf injury during Wolves EPL clash against Nottingham Forest on December 3, moments after coming on as a late substitute.
The club then gave ZIFA an update, which suggested that if Munetsi was to play a part it would only be well after the group stages of the competition and in the event that Zimbabwe had qualified for the knock-out rounds.
Munetsi is scheduled to undergo another MRI scan at Wolves next week.
“Regarding time-lines, all group-stage matches occur before the four-week mark post-injury, which makes availability for those fixtures unlikely from a medical perspective.
“The player is, however, hopeful to aim for the second or third group-stage matches if his progress allows. We recognise there is inherent risk in accelerating recovery and we cannot guarantee that he will be fit but we are willing to support him as far as is clinically safe,’’ wrote the Wolves medical crew.
With the Warriors opening match against Egypt set for 10 days’ time in Agadir, Mario would not take any chances. He had also dropped Walter Musona from the provisional squad demanding proof from the Scottland star man that he had recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered during the international friendly against Algeria last month.
Although he did not present a medical report, Musona nonetheless took to social media to declare himself “1 000 percent fit.”
Before announcing his squad yesterday, Mario indicated he considered various factors to suit his “fast” style of play. He had initially called up 56 players into camp for assessment.
“Yes, we have a philosophy that we try to play as much as possible, forward and we try to be direct, and we try to make the football entertaining by scoring goals.
“Players were working extremely hard and they were very dedicated . . . I want to thank them for their participation for very hard work.
“They’ve done very well, particularly to commit to the cause of the country to be here with us. They could be anywhere, they could have done all sorts of things in their lives, but they chose to fight for their chance and at the same time to have a chance to fight for the country.
“Unfortunately, we have limited places,” said Marinica.
Luton Town midfielder Marvellous Nakamba is set to lead the side during the campaign.
There were places too for veteran and former captain Knowledge Musona, Divine Lunga, Emmanuel Jalai, Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Brendan Galloway and Godknows Murwira.
While Munetsi seemed to question his club’s advice which led to his exclusion, Zemura took his injury blow in his stride.
The former Bournemouth man, who was injured while on Udinese duty on Monday, took to his social media platform to accept his situation and still rally support for the Warriors.
“You work so hard to achieve the small wins in your career. You give everything to the cause. You sacrifice everything, you work non-stop. You fight till you can’t no more, just to represent the flag of your blood. Your mother’s land, your father’s fields,’’ Zemura said.
“You work to inspire the youth, the ones after you, that’s all it ever was. Now in the final hurdle, I’ve fallen, my body has given up. I guess that’s the cost.
The price you pay, however, I will be back. I will defend those colours again. I will lead this team again.
For my fellow Warriors, all the best luck in Morocco, I wish to be with you on the field fighting with you, I know you will be fine, I know you will make us proud. I wish you my country the best.
Go and defend your colours and make us proud, I’m sorry I can’t be there with you.
I will be watching from afar but close in spirit.
To the fans, follow us scream for us shout for us again, I am sorry. Mwana wevhu
“2 Corinthians 4:18; As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient but things that are unseen are eternal,’’ wrote Zemura.
Despite the injury setbacks, the Warriors also have exciting prospects Tawanda Maswanhise, Tawanda Chirewa, Prosper Padera, Andy Rinomhota and Bill Antonio.
England-based Macauley Bonne also impressed the coach to add to the attacking options.
Among the surprise and questionable picks was the returning Alec Mudimu and Ishmael Wadi.
Domestic Premiership top scorer and newly crowned Soccer Star of the Year Washington Navaya secured a pace as did Junior Zindoga, Isheanesu Mauchi and Scottland teenage sensation Tadiwa Chakuchichi, who is the youngest member of the squad at 16 years.
Marinica opted for continuity with his goalkeeping department comprising first choice veteran Washington Arubi, Elvis Chipezeze and Martin Mapisa.
The AFCON tournament will run from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco.
The Warriors were drawn in Group B alongside neighbours South Africa, Egypt and Angola.
They are set to leave for Morocco on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe Squad:
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
Defenders: Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday FC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC Libya), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora FC), Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle FC), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town FC), Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirg Aue), Andrew Rinomhota (Reading FC), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC)
Forwards: Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen FC), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United FC), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants FC), Prince Dube (Young Africans SC), Washington Navaya (TelOne FC), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree FC),Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy FC),Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland FC)
