ZIMBABWE'S senior men's football team, the Warriors, departed for Morocco last night ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.
The squad carries the nation’s hopes with a clear mandate: to progress past the group stages for the first time in history.
Drawn in the tough Group B alongside seven-time champions Egypt, regional rivals South Africa, and Angola’s Palancas Negras, Zimbabwe will open their campaign against Egypt in Agadir on December 22. They then face Angola in Marrakech on December 26, before concluding the group stage against South Africa three days later.
Speaking ahead of departure, coach Marian Marinica stressed that victory is the team’s objective despite numerous setbacks, particularly the lack of preparation time as a cohesive unit.
"I always say to people, when you qualify for something, you go there with your own chances, so we have to make the most of our chances," he said.
"Now we have to fight for everyone in the country, to make sure that we don't go there to participate, we go there to win."
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The coach cited challenges, including delayed squad assembly and limited playing time for some foreign-based players. Only 10 of the squad’s foreign-based stars are expected to join in Morocco, with just two training sessions scheduled before the first match.
"We also had players who, recently, they are not been playing that much at their clubs. At the same time, we had, unfortunately, this setback with Caf and with Zifa, which we had planned to get together on the 8th. Unfortunately, that has not happened, and now we have only local players, and some players, particularly from South Africa, who were able to come, and some others from Europe, but not too many."
The coach revealed the fragmented nature of the team's initial days in Morocco, highlighting the difficulty in integrating the foreign-based stars.
"So, we have almost 10 players that will have to meet in Morocco, and we're going to have only one training session on the 19th... It looks like from 16th to 29th, plenty of days. Unfortunately, we only have two training sessions allocated. But it is what it is, we believe in our cause. We believe that we can do what hasn't been achieved before."
Despite the obstacles, Marinica praised the professionalism of his squad and emphasised a strategy built on speed, tactical clarity and precise roles.
"To think fast, act fast, move fast, be well-prepared and organised, we must have a clear strategy, players to understand exactly their roles and responsibilities in a match," he said.
He concluded with a plea for national unity and support:” I would like, as much as possible, to stay behind us, forget about the noise, whatever it is, let's focus together to achieve what we want to achieve. We will give you 100% of what we can on the pitch, and we want, you know, as much as possible, to support us 100%."
The Afcon tournament officially kicks off on Sunday when hosts Morocco face Comoros at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Final Warriors squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Goalkeepers
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants)
Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi)
Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
Defenders
Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC)
Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC)
Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday FC)
Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen)
Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC, Libya)
Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora FC)
Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle FC)
Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati)
Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United)
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders
Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town FC)
Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirg Aue)
Andrew Rinomhota (Reading FC)
Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki)
Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC)
Forwards
Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen FC)
Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United FC)
Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC)
Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants FC)
Prince Dube (Young Africans SC)
Washington Navaya (TelOne FC)
Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree FC)
Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy FC)
Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland FC)