Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Marian “Mario” Marinica’s recent interface with European-based Zimbabwean players has seen him include two new faces into the squad that will do duty at the Four Nations tournament set for Francistown in Botswana later this month.
Zimbabwe will use the FIFA international window to contest that Four Nations tournament against the hosts, Zambia and Malawi at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown from March 23-31 to assess a number of players.
Warriors vice-captain Marshall Munetsi’s omission was one of the major talking points in the squad that will also be missing the services of the inured pair of Tawanda Chirewa and Jordan Zemura.
Although no official word has been issued on Munetsi’s status, sources indicated yesterday that, “the door has not been completely closed on Marshall and there are processes for his reintegration into the national team which are taking place’’.
Munetsi is yet to play a game under Marinica having last featured for the Warriors in October 25 last year, before the Romanian was named as Michael Nees’ replacement, the following month.
The on-loan Wolves midfielder was embroiled in controversy during the AFCON 2025 finals after he had been left out due to an injury.
He couldn’t quite accept it and ended up making utterances which didn’t sit down well with Marinica and other authorities.
There were suggestions that Munetsi should have publicly apologised to the nation for trying to divide the national team at the height of his fallout with both the coach and ZIFA.
Zimpapers Sport can reveal that there are processes happening in the background and the door hasn’t been shut completely for him.
If the processes go on well, Munetsi could bounce back into the fold in the next international window in June.
The Four Nations competition presents the Warriors with a chance to regroup for the first time since the end of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations sojourn in Morocco.
After the tournament, Marinica visited Europe to scout for more Diaspora talent for the Warriors.
Panashe Makwiramiti
He has also embarked on a nationwide tour to watch some local matches following the start of the Premier League season last Friday.
The Warriors gaffer is taking the Four Nations seriously given what he has set out to achieve in a year Zimbabwe will be seeking to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals to be co-hosted by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
And he has blended the rookies with the experience of the core of his regulars including captain Marvelous Nakamba, Teenage Hadebe, Gerald Takwara and in-form Scotland-based forward Tawanda Maswanhise.
Marinica has, however, overlooked veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi and instead surprised many with the inclusion of ZPC Kariba’s Future Sibanda and Brentford fringe player Marley Tavaziva.
But for now, Marinica is happy with the players he has chosen including ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Future Sibanda who has been picked for national duty for the first time.
Tavaziva, who was almost always selected by Marinica’s predecessor Michael Nees, has bounced back into the team whose other goalkeeper is Elvis Chipezeze.
But all eyes will be on Marinica’s fresh faces including Ipswich Town defender Corbin Mthunzi and Panashe Makwiramiti of Haverfordwest.
Sarajevo’s Shane Maroodza who was once called up by Jairos Tapera in 2024 has also been recalled.
After his interface with players based in Europe, Marinica said: “I am very excited to have met all the players that I met.
“There was positivity and I was impressed generally with how they are playing. I had meetings with them, their coaches and also some of the parents.
“We want to build a good and competitive national team and the foundations are really good.”
And he has started integrating some of the players he saw in action and obtained their profiles.
After recovering from the injury that wrecked his AFCON appearance, AmaZulu striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya bounces back into the squad.
Former captain Knowledge Musona who has shown good form in the two matches he has played for Scottland so far, is one of only three locally-based players in the side.
Zimbabwe were the last to announce their squad for the Four Nations tournament with teams like Malawi already in camp preparing for it.
The Warriors will set their training camp for the tourney in Bulawayo from where they will head to Francistown next Thursday.
Warriors Squad:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC), Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)
Defenders: Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Emmanuel Jalai (Durban City), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town), Munashe Garananga (Hibernian), Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misiruta), Isheanesu Mauchi (Chippa United), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo)
Midfielders: Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Marvelous Nakamba (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirge Aue), Panashe Makwiramiti (Haverfordwest), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki)
Forwards: Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Musendami (Orlando Pirates), Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Macauley Bonne (Billericay), Thando Ngwenya (Amazulu)
