THE iron curtain has fallen again.
In a move that suggests personal pride is currently outranking national interest, Warriors coach Marian Marinica has once again frozen out France-based star Marshall Munetsi, leaving the midfielder’s international future right in the cold.
The squad for the upcoming Four Nations tournament in Botswana was announced yesterday, and the glaring absence of Zimbabwe’s biggest football export has turned what should be a tactical preview into a post-mortem of a fractured relationship.
The fallout between the Romanian and the Warriors vice-captain traces back to December last year when Marinica sensationally snubbed Munetsi for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
At the time, the coach claimed the player was unfit, a claim Munetsi did not just dismiss, but dismantled in the public gallery.
Since then, a war of words has simmered.
While Munetsi has repeatedly waved the white flag, insisting he is ready to play for the Warriors, Marinica’s latest squad selection suggests the coach is not ready to forgive or forget.
If selection is based on merit, Munetsi’s exclusion is a footballing anomaly.
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The Mabvuku-born star is currently setting the French Ligue 1 alight with Paris FC.
His current form of three goals in his last three consecutive matches playing in one of the big leagues in Europe means he is the highest-performing Zimbabwean playing abroad.
Instead of a hero’s welcome, Munetsi finds himself on the outside looking in, sacrificed on the altar of the coach’s discretion.
In what is becoming a frustrating hallmark of his tenure, Marinica released the squad via a sterile Press statement.
No Press conference. No questions and answer. No accountability.
By avoiding the media, the coach has dodged the inevitable questions regarding the axing of Munetsi and veterans Washington Arubi, Devine Lunga and Walter Musona, a player he also has bad blood with.
The squad is further depleted by injuries to Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Tawanda Chirewa (Barnsley) and Jordan Zemura (Udinese Calcio).
With the bridges to the established stars currently on fire, Marinica is betting the house on fresh blood and diaspora hopefuls.
The debutants in the squad are ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Future Sibanda, Corbin Mthunzi of English Championship side Ipswich Town and Panashe Makwiramiti, who plays for Haverfordwest County in the Welsh topflight.
They are joined by the returning Shane Maroodza (FK Sarajevo) and Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), forming an experimental core for the tournament at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium from March 23-31.
Zimbabwe head to Botswana to face Zambia, Malawi, and the hosts with a squad that feels more like a statement of authority than anything else.
Marinica has drawn a line in the sand.
You are either with him, or you are Munetsi.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)
Defenders: Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Emmanuel Jalai (Durban City), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town), Munashe Garananga (Hibernian), Gerald Takwara (Al Itihad Misurata), Isheanesu Mauchi (Chippa United), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Shane Maroodza (FK Sarajevo).
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba, Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirge Aue), Panashe Makwiramiti (Haverfordwest County), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen)
Strikers: Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Prince Dube (Young Africans SC), Daniel Musendami (Orlando Pirates), Macauley Bonne (Billericay Town), Thando Ngwenya (AmaZulu)
