Marian Marinica, the head coach of Zimbabwe’s national team, is expected to reveal his final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe will compete in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola, and South Africa.
The Warriors will depart for Morocco on Tuesday, December 16.
Under FIFA’s directive, clubs must release players by December 15, leaving Zimbabwe with little time for full-squad preparations.
Speaking during a send-off event organized by ZIFA in Harare, Marian Marinica said the team’s camp had faced several logistical and technical setbacks.
“We had quite a difficult period because we were not able to get all the players by 8th December, as we wanted,” he said.
The coaching staff was forced to conduct an early camp dominated by local players.
“It didn’t help our preparation that much. Some players felt like it was a trial, yet we were working on a bigger project,” Marinica explained.
Wolverhampton Wanderers player Marshall Munetsi, limped off during a recent match.
Meanwhile, Jordan Zemura also limped off while playing for Udinese in Serie A. Defender Takudzwa Jalai is undergoing a rehabilitation program after picking up a knock.
“We hope and pray they recover in time,” Marinica said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa pledged US$400,000 towards the team’s welfare, urging the corporate sector to rally behind the Warriors.
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