Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST hours before the Warriors face Algeria in an international friendly match at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the camp is showing cracks after new coach Marian “Mario” Marinica failed to read the situation.
Going into this new assignment after the World Cup qualifiers, the team was already deeply divided and former coach Michael Nees was frantically trying to keep the players together.
Inside sources have told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the different camps are glaring and there was urgent need to first talk to the senior players to help unite the group again.
Instead, newly appointed coach Mario’s brutal approach, insiders say, have not helped matters, a situation that has seen him clash with some of the players. And indications are some established players could be on their way out after these two friendly matches.
This comes at a time when the absence of Marshal Munetsi, Knowledge Musona and Jordan Zemura has not been clear, with indications there is more to what meets the eye.
Efforts to get a comment from Zifa around Thursday midday on all the issues raised from the camp were fruitless.
“He (Marinica) has been brutal in approach. It’s normal for some coaches to be that way, but this group is very fragile at the moment. The crisis escalated when he (Marinica) humiliated Jalai (Emmanuel) in front of the entire squad giving the impression he is not national team material,” said one of the sources.
“Even captain Marvelous Nakamba and Divine Lunga have not been spared. One of the senior players from Europe has been told not to come again if he is not available for the friendly matches.
“The more serious case is that of Tawanda Chirewa who may be entirely out of the Algeria plans unless something dramatic changes.
“We think if he can also give his assistants more authority, things could actually change since they already know the players.”
A player that requested anonymity said the coach needed to focus on rebuilding and uniting a team.
“This will not help the team… the team needs healing for now.”
The situation has not been made any easier by the fact that the players are also demanding that the association meet same AFCON finals appearance fees rate used by the past administration. The last AFCON, players were given US$5 500 per game.
