THE Warriors have kicked off their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, which begin in Morocco later this month.
A group of locally based players from the provisional 55-member squad announced last week by new head coach Marian Mario Marinica reported for camp in Harare yesterday, marking the first structured step in the team’s road to the continental tournament.
The initial camp — comprising 32 players from domestic clubs — serves as a crucial assessment phase, giving home-grown talent a platform to fight for places before the final squad is assembled. Those who make the cut will ultimately link up with their foreign-based counterparts.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) confirmed the development in a press release yesterday.
Marinica has adopted a merit-based system, giving domestic players a golden opportunity to prove their worth.
According to Zifa, “This preliminary phase affords the selected players one to five days to demonstrate their readiness, sharpness, and tactical suitability, as head coach Marian Mario Marinica and his technical staff conduct rigorous assessments in anticipation of the final squad consolidation for Afcon.”
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The intense assessment period will ultimately see a trimmed list of players integrated into the final squad, a testament to the coach’s commitment to selecting the most deserving players regardless of their current base.
Formal training is scheduled to commence tomorrow afternoon. However, Zifa was explicit about the necessity of privacy at this stage.
“In alignment with elite performance protocols and the technical team’s preparation demands at this stage, the session will be held strictly behind closed doors, with no access granted to the public or the media,” the association said.
The privacy measure is meant to protect tactical plans, preserve concentration, and allow the technical team to prepare with maximum confidentiality ahead of the tournament.
Zimbabwe have been drawn into the challenging Group B for the Afcon tournament. They face continental giants Egypt, alongside Southern Africa rivals South Africa and Angola.
This will be the Warriors’ sixth appearance at Afcon — but they are still chasing their first-ever qualification to the knockout stages.
With high stakes and a tough group awaiting, Marinica is focused on moulding a cohesive, competitive unit capable of finally breaking new ground for Zimbabwean football.
Local-based Warriors' squad
Martin Mapisa, Godknows Murwira, Emmanuel Jalai, Isheanesu Anselmo Mauchi, Walter Tatenda Musona, Tymon Machope, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Washington Gift Navaya, Nelson Tapiwa Chadya, Donovan Fungai Benard, Kevin Njabulo Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Andrew Kabila Mbeba, Albert Manenji, Xolani Ndlovu, Abubakar Moffat, Junior Makunike, Kingsley Mureremba, Joseph Tulani, Mthokozisi Msebe, Nigel Elfas Matinha, Ishmael Wadi, Emmanuel Tafadzwa Ziocha, Billy Vheremu, Obriel Chirinda, Tadiwa Joshua Chakuchichi, Webster Tanaka Tafa, Knowledge Musona, Ishmael Nyanhi, Jarrison Selemani, Genius Hute, Wilfred Madzungu