Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHILE questions swirled around Marshall Munetsi’s absence from the Warriors Africa Cup of Nations squad, the Zimbabwe Football Association has moved to set the record straight, insisting the decision was driven by medical reality and strict Fifa regulations rather than selection politics.
Zifa acknowledged Munetsi’s unwavering commitment to the national team but said the Wolves midfielder’s omission was unavoidable under rules governing injured players.
Munetsi is nursing a calf injury and will miss the Afcon finals, which kick off in Morocco next Sunday.
The 29-year-old versatile midfielder sat out Wolves’ match against Arsenal last night and is expected to be fit within the next two weeks.
With that timeline, Warriors coach Marian “Super Mario” Marinica chose not to gamble on a player who would not be match ready at the start of the tournament.
Zifa said the decision was further shaped by Caf regulations on player injuries and the Fifa Club Protection Programme, which governs insurance and liability for professionals on international duty.
Yesterday, the association laid out the process that led to Munetsi being left out. Zifa said there was formal and continuous engagement with English Premier League side Wolves throughout the period.
“Zifa maintained official, continuous, and fully documented communication with Mr. Marshall
Munetsi’s club regarding his medical condition and availability for international duty.
“These engagements were conducted formally and in strict compliance with Caf competition regulations and Fifa frameworks governing player release, insurance coverage, and institutional duty of care,” wrote Zifa.
The association added that Marinica remained in direct contact with the player himself. According to Zifa, the coach “maintained open and direct communication” with Munetsi.
“This approach reflected Zifa’s commitment to transparency, co-ordination and respect for the player, while aligning the technical, medical, and administrative arms of the Association.
“Player health and welfare remain Zifa’s overriding priority.
“Medical information formally provided by the club confirmed that Mr. Marshall Munetsi was managing an injury at the time final squad decisions were being made.
“Under the Fifa Club Protection Programme, injuries existing at the commencement of international duty fall outside automatic insurance coverage unless strict procedural and medical conditions are satisfied, including formal clearance and risk mitigation documentation,” explained Zifa.
Zifa revealed that Munetsi was still keen to join the Warriors camp despite the injury, but the association required written consent and a liability waiver from Wolves.
“This documentation is a critical prerequisite under the Fifa Club Protection Programme, which governs compensation, insurance exposure, and liability management where professional players, particularly those carrying injuries, are released for international “A” matches.
“Mr. Marshall Munetsi was duly advised that the required club consent and liability waiver had not been received and was kept informed of the status of this process.
“However, by the time the Caf deadline for Afcon squad submission was reached, the mandatory documentation remained outstanding.
“In the absence of these clearances, Zifa could not lawfully, responsibly, or ethically include Mr. Marshall Munetsi in the final squad, as doing so would have exposed both the Association and the player’s club to uninsured risk and regulatory non-compliance under the Fifa Club Protection Programme.
“As a result, the Head Coach was left with no alternative but to proceed with players who were fully fit, medically cleared, insured, and procedurally eligible, in strict adherence to Caf squad submission requirements and Fifa player protection frameworks,” said Zifa.
The football mother body also paid tribute to Munetsi, who serves as the Warriors vice captain, praising his long standing service to the national cause.
Munetsi played a crucial role during the Afcon qualifiers and was widely expected to be a key figure at the finals.
“Zifa places on record its deep appreciation for Mr. Marshall Munetsi, whose professionalism, leadership, and exemplary service to the Warriors over many years are held in the highest regard.
“He has consistently represented Zimbabwe with distinction and pride and remains a valued member of the national football family.”
Zifa said the door remains open for Munetsi, who is expected to bounce back once he has fully recovered.
“Zifa reiterates unequivocally that Mr. Marshall Munetsi’s non-selection was purely medical, procedural, and regulatory, guided by player welfare imperatives, CAF competition rules, and the Fifa Club Protection Programme, without malice, bias, or administrative impropriety.
“Finally, Zifa calls upon the football loving public to remain united and to fully support the Warriors as they represent the nation at Afcon in Morocco,” wrote Zifa.
