Barely a week into his tenure as Warriors coach, Mario Marinica has already lost the dressing, amid revelations that some players are not happy about the Romanian’s choice of words and disrespectful attitude.
Marinica, who replaced German mentor Michael Nees in the Warriors’ dugout, took charge of his first game when Zimbabwe lost 3-1 to Algeria in an international friendly in Saudi Arabia last night.
The aftermath of the game has been marred by revelations that Marinica insulted players to the point that some of them lost it and contemplated confronting him.
Sources privy to ongoings in the Warriors camp told Fanzone that some senior players have even written to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), to express dissatisfaction over Marinica’s ‘unacceptable choice of words and attitude towards professional footballers.’
“The situation is bad, some players have even told ZIFA that they will not take part in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals under the current circumstances,” said one source.
Marinica is said to have insulted Emmanuel Jalai, questioning the roving right back’s inclusion in the Warriors fold- words which angered the player’s teammates.
The Romanian, according to another source, insulted goalkeeper Washington Arubi over his age, remarks which irked senior players.
Forward Tawanda Chirewa, who scored the Warriors’ consolation goal from the penalty spot yesterday, has since left camp and returned to his base in England.
ZIFA released a statement saying Chirewa’s club Wolverhampton Wanderers, requested to have the player back.
“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.
“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 prioritizes the athlete’s long-term development while safeguarding Zimbabwe’s national football interests.”
