Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Marian “Mario” Marinica wants his team to take a significant step forward when they face Qatar at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha this evening.
The clash kicks off at 6:30pm and comes at a crucial point in Zimbabwe’s build-up to next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
This is Marinica’s second match in charge following the 1-3 defeat to Algeria in Jeddah last Thursday. Zimbabwe spent the first half chasing shadows as they struggled to adapt to the coach’s “fast and very fast” philosophy.
They found rhythm after the break and controlled long passages — a shift the Romanian hopes to see from the first whistle tonight.
Marinica, whose résumé rivals any coach to have led the national team, is eager for a sharper, more cohesive display against The Maroons. While some corners of social media have criticised him, ZIFA insists the camp is stable, united, and fully focused on the Qatar test.
With AFCON around the corner, every minute under the new system matters. Captain Marvelous Nakamba said the players feel the urgency and the importance of putting the style into practice.
“The guys are all in great shape. We are pushing each other. We tried well against Algeria and I think the purpose was to see and try to understand the philosophy of the coach. The coach is really good and is always trying to push us to put in the work. I am happy the players are adjusting very well. So far, we are professionals and we know what we have to do. We just have to keep pushing each other because these are the games.
“Of course, it’s a friendly, but we are professionals. We try to give everything for the nation and also not forgetting, we are preparing for the big tournament. I think the international break came at the perfect time. The results have not been coming, but we’ve been trying. It’s part of the game — that’s why we qualified and that’s why we’re preparing to go and compete at AFCON,” said Nakamba, who is expected to start.
Qatar sit 52nd in the world, more than 100 places above Zimbabwe. They mirror the style of Algeria and Egypt, one of Zimbabwe’s Group B opponents. The last time the Warriors met Egypt at this stage was in 2019 when Divine Lunga shut down Mohamed Salah.
The Mamelodi Sundowns defender says the mindset must start with matches like tonight’s.
“Yeah, I think since the beginning, we’ve been trying because there’s a new coach, so we’re trying. The coach is trying to bring new things and so far so good. I’m 100 percent confident that we will get through this. I believe that we will get through this. As players we are always trying to encourage each other and be the team the coach wants to see.
“Qatar is a tricky customer. They have qualified for the World Cup and that says a lot about their team. They are ranked 52nd in the world and it tells you a huge story about what they can do. But we are going to try and match them in our game. We are seeking to win a game of this magnitude because we know that will do wonders for our confidence heading into AFCON,” said Lunga.
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui has named a squad dominated by home-based talent for the meeting with the Warriors.
