The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has appointed Romanian Mario Marinica as the new Warriors coach on a one-year deal.
Marinica replaces German expatriate Michael Nees, who was sacked last month after a string of poor results despite guiding the team to AFCON qualification.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Marian( Mario) Marinica as the new Head Coach of the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Football Team, the Warriors, on a one-year contract,” reads a statement by ZIFA.
“A highly accomplished UEFA Pro Licensed coach, Marinica brings over 25 years of international coaching and technical experience across four continents – Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.
“He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Coaching from South Bank University (England) and a Diploma in Management, underlining a blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership. Throughout his distinguished career, Marinica has worked with several prestigious clubs and national teams including Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Internazionale Milano, AS Monaco, Liverpool FC, and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the Paraguay, Mauritius, Malawi, and Liberia national teams.
“Under his leadership, Malawi reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, their best-ever finish, while Liberia became the highest climber in the FIFA Rankings in June 2024.
“Marinica’s background also includes serving as a Technical Director, Coach Educator, and Performance Consultant, with deep expertise in player development, match analysis, and grassroots structures. His track record of empowering local coaches and integrating diaspora talent aligns closely with ZIFA’s long-term football development strategy.
ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi expressed enthusiasm on the appointment of Marinica.
“We are delighted to welcome Coach Marinica to Zimbabwe. His wealth of experience, modern football philosophy, and proven results at international level make him the ideal candidate to lead the Warriors into a new era. His appointment reflects ZIFA’s commitment to building a competitive and sustainable football structure that delivers results both on and off the pitch,” said Magwizi.
“Coach Marinica will assume his duties with immediate effect and is expected to oversee preparations for the upcoming friendly matches versus Algeria and Qatar, as well as the AFCON finals.”
