Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA have thrown their full weight behind new Warriors coach Marian “Mario” Marinica, after the Romanian yesterday came under a surprise hate campaign peddled by some social media hawks in the wake of the senior team’s defeat by Algeria in an international friendly match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Warriors’ win-less since October 14, 2024, when they thumped Namibia 3-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations came a cropper against continental heavyweights Algeria, who beat them 3-1 on Thursday night.
It was Marinica’s first game in charge.
The 60-year-old coach is barely a week into his new job after replacing the out-of-depth German Michael Nees who was sacked last month.
The encounter in Jeddah was a match in which Algeria dominated the first half before the Warriors turned on the style in the second stanza to contain the Desert Foxes and got their consolation via midfielder Tawanda Chirewa’s conversion from the penalty spot.
But far from events on the pitch, Marinica, his players and ZIFA found themselves under a barrage of social media attacks, which claimed but without backing, that the coach had in just 90 minutes of action, completely lost control of the dressing room.
Some of the claims suggested players had revolted against the coach, whom they only met for two days prior to Thursday’s match.
There have even been reports suggesting that Marinica would be calling it a day after Monday’s friendly against Qatar in Doha.
While the social media hawks claimed that Chirewa was one of those who had revolted against the coach, it emerged that there had been a prior arrangement between ZIFA and the player’s club, Wolverhampton Wanderers for the midfielder’s release.
Chirewa yesterday left camp to rejoin struggling Premiership side Wolves who requested to have him assessed by the club’s new coach.
The request had been made well before the Warriors arrived in Saudi Arabia.
ZIFA confirmed as much in a statement.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) wishes to inform the nation, the media fraternity and all that midfielder Tawanda Chirewa has been granted permission to leave the national team camp, as had been agreed prior to the player joining the camp,’’ read part of the statement.
“This decision was reached with the full blessing and consent of ZIFA, after Wolverhampton Wanderers formally requested an opportunity for the player to be assessed by their new technical team as part of their internal preparations for the season ahead.
“ZIFA emphasises that this development is not a withdrawal, nor does it reflect any dispute or disagreement.
“Instead, it represents a professional and mutually respectful alignment between the national association and the player’s parent club, an alignment that prioritises the athlete’s long-term development while safeguarding Zimbabwe’s national football interests.
“Zimbabwe remains united and focused as preparations for upcoming international assignments intensify.
“The Association extends its gratitude to all supporters for their unwavering passion and commitment to the national cause.”
ZIFA said they would stick by their man in the face of the hate campaign.
“We are definitely fully behind coach Marinica. He has already shown that he is a capable man to steer us to our Dreamland.
“He has the experience and the expertise to take us to the next round of the AFCON.
“He showed that he is a good tactician after dominating Algeria in the second half on Thursday.
“He is a good manager and we can confirm that all the players are in good spirits right now and it’s looking super good as we prepare for the second friendly game against Qatar on Monday,” added ZIFA.
Marinica has built a strong reputation with his frank approach and fluid philosophy after taking Malawi to the round of 16 at the 2021 AFCON finals, a stage the Warriors are yet to hit.
After Thursday’s game against Algeria, the coach pointed to the absence of some of the Warriors regulars who were absent due to injuries and personal reasons.
“So many players are absent, but we have a very, very good team and with a very good coach and very good personnel, they have a fantastic chance.
“Well, I think in a way, our work ethic wasn’t there in the first half. I don’t think my players worked hard enough the way I wanted,” he said of the overall performance.
Defender Gerald Takwara was the stand-in captain in the absence of Marvelous Nakamba and Marshall Munetsi and he acknowledged the Desert Foxes’ quality.
Takwara was happy with how the Warriors had played in the second half.
“It was a good game. Algeria, they were showing us some flames in the first half. They were playing very good football. They dominated the first half.
“That’s why we conceded three goals. But came second half, we were a little bit compact.
“We were working together. The second half was better for us also. We managed to score one goal.
“Yeah, but then we lost to a better team and they are one of the best across the continent,” Takwara said.
