Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MARSHAL Munetsi’s return to the Warriors fold for the Unity Cup in the UK in June has sparked plenty of debate, given the timing of the call-up, which came just after the departure of coach Marian ‘Mario’ Marinica.
It is almost two weeks since Marinica resigned as Warriors coach, with the Zimbabwe Football Association saying he cited personal reasons.
Kaitano Tembo has taken over as caretaker coach. But it is also well documented that there was no love lost between the two and the strained relationship extended to other foreign-based players, many of whom view Munetsi as one of the natural leaders of the team.
Munetsi’s continued absence from the Warriors, including during the AFCON finals, had led to a growing outcry from fans. Against that background, although Zifa insisted that Marinica’s decision to leave was for personal reasons which were not revealed, the latest developments have only fuelled further speculation.
Zimbabwe Sports Hub understands that the former coach had initially set conditions for Munetsi’s return, which were not met.
“It was a difficult situation for the association. On one hand the coach wanted an apology, on the other the player felt betrayed,” said a source close to the developments. The longer Zifa left the situation unresolved and it dragged on, the more fans blamed them for being complicit in freezing out the player.
“The situation was not helped by the fact that some of the other foreign-based players appeared to have lost interest in the team in support of the vice-captain.”
The squad list announced on Monday also includes Jordan Zemura, Tawanda Chirewa and Tino Kadewere.
Caretaker coach Tembo seems to also have gone for a balancing act, also including two local players excluded in the past but believed to be good enough to play for the national team.
These are Aboubacar Moffat from Scottland and goalkeeper Future Sibanda from ZPC Kariba.
GOALKEEPERS
Marley Tavaziva (Brentford, England), Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba, Zimbabwe), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi, South Africa)
DEFENDERS
Munashe Garananga (Hibernian, Scotland), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town, England), Shane Maroodza (FK Sarajevo, Bosnia), Gerald Takwara (AL Ittihad Misurata Libya), Jordan Zemura (Udinese, Italy), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Emmanuel Jalai (Durban City, South Africa), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday, England)
MIDFIELDERS
Mongameli Tshuma (Highlanders, Zimbabwe), Marvelous Nakamba (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Aboubacar Moffat (Scottland, Zimbabwe), Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirge AUE, Germany), Marshall Munetsi (Paris, France), Tawanda Chirewa (Barnsely, England)
ATTACKERS
Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell, Scotland), Prince Dube (Young Africans, Tanzania), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy South Africa), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen Belgium), Daniel Msendami (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Tino Kadewere (Aris Thessaloniki, Greece)
