NORMALCY has returned to the Warriors camp as coach Marian Marinica appears to have buckled under pressure, ditching his confrontational and heavy-handed approach for a more friendly demeanour.
The Romanian coach had come under fierce criticism following reports of using abusive and vulgar language towards players during their Middle East training camp for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.
The tense atmosphere was heightened by allegations of racism.
The saga began following the Warriors' 3-1 defeat to Algeria in a friendly match in Saudi Arabia on Thursday last week.
The encounter was overshadowed by a reported clash between the new coach and his players, culminating in serious accusations of verbal abuse, vulgarity, and the alleged use of a racial slur.
The toxic environment reportedly led to Tawanda Chirewa, the scorer of the Warriors' consolation goal on Thursday, abruptly packing his bags on Friday and returning to his base in England.
Zifa’s subsequent attempt to control the narrative, claiming Chirewa was recalled by his club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, was quickly dismissed by players, pointing to a severe breakdown of trust.
Sources told NewsDay Sport yesterday that Marinica has since softened his approach following a crisis meeting held between him and the players on Friday evening.
- ‘Zim football chasing its tail’
- I didn’t do justice to Warriors: Benjani
- SRC flagged offside
- SRC endorses Banda appointment as Zifa interim president
Keep Reading
The intervention of Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi, who is also in Qatar, proved crucial.
He reportedly held separate meetings with Marinica and then the players on Saturday.
It would appear these discussions helped to defuse the tension that was threatening to derail the team's preparation for a tough Afcon group featuring Egypt, South Africa and Angola.
Speaking to this publication, players confirmed a dramatic shift in the coach’s attitude since their arrival in Qatar on Saturday for their second friendly match against the hosts today (kickoff 1830hrs).
“The tension has eased. We had our first training session here on Saturday evening, and we really enjoyed it,” one player said.
“The coach was a completely different person from the one we first met some days ago. He was full of respect for the players. That is all we had been asking for.”
The first signs of Marinica’s confrontational style emerged even before the Algeria match.
Skipper Marvelous Nakamba and defender Devine Lunga were immediately frozen out of the squad for being a few hours late due to a flight delay, an explanation the coach reportedly refused to accept.
However, the real toxicity lay in his alleged verbal attacks, which turned personal.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi was publicly shamed, allegedly told his behaviour didn't match his 40 years.
Right-back Emmanuel Jalai was reportedly labelled a “dwarf” for a national team player.
Scotland-based Tawanda Maswanhise was dismissed as playing “like a granny”.
The situation escalated dramatically with allegations of racial abuse. Sources said players were worried by the coach's tone, citing the alleged use of the word “monkey” when addressing them.
This is not Marinica's first brush with controversy. Similar concerns over his attitude and vulgar language were also raised during his time with Malawi, and sources in Tanzania also indicate racism allegations were raised before his dismissal there.
When pressed on the revolt, Marinica offered a defiant defence, framing the players' discontent as a necessary hurdle.
“With new ideas, there is always resistance to change,” Marinica conceded in a Zifa in-house interview.
He implied the resistance stemmed from players who “want things to be done the same way it was done before,” doubling down by stating, “But those things that were done before need to be changed, otherwise I wouldn't be here if those things were good."
Meanwhile, Nakamba, who is expected to return to the squad for today’s match, has pleaded for support for the team amid the tension.
Speaking in an in-house interview after Saturday's training session, the Luton Town star said, “The first game against Algeria was for us to see, share and understand. I think for us it is all about trying to implement what the new technical staff are bringing... We urge Zimbabweans to keep supporting us, believing in us and pushing us. The results have not been coming, but we have been trying, and that is why we qualified.”
The game against Algeria was Marinica’s first assignment in charge after replacing Michael Nees, who lost his job in October.
