Axed or excused? Billiat, Munetsi out of Zimbabwe squad

Three days after being appointed, Zimbabwe football team’s new coach Mario Marinica has announced the squad to face Algeria and Qatar in friendlies later in November. The matches will take place in Saudi Arabia.

Notable exclusions from the Warriors squad are stars Khama Billiat and Marshall Munetsi. Has the new coach, maybe, dropped the Scottland FC forward Billiat and his Wolverhampton Wanderers counterpart? Has the duo, perhaps, asked to be excused for now?

The Zimbabwe Football Association did not state the reasons for the absence of the former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates players from the 23-member squad. However, Pan-Africa Football has established that both players are not injured.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns man scored when Scottland beat Kwekwe United 5-1 on November 1 2025, to seal the Zimbabwe Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title with two games to spare.

Apart from Billiat and Munetsi, who else has been selected for the friendlies?

The Warriors squad comprises South Africa-based goalkeepers Elvis Chipezepe of Magesi FC and his Marumo Gallants’ counterpart Washington Arubi with the third being Martin Mapisa from MWOS FC.

Sundowns’ Divine Lunga is among the most recognized dfefehders in the squad alongside America-based Teenage Hadebe.

Skipper Marvelous Nakama of Luton FC will lead the midfield comprising Wolves’ Tawanda Chirekwa, Jordan Zemura for Udinese, Sean Fusire from Sheffield Wednesday and Gallants’ Daniel Msendani.

The duo was part of the squad that underperformed in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Africa under the previous coach Michael Nees who was succeeded by Marinica.

Marinica will lead Zimbabwe to Saudi Arabia for friendlies against the hosts and Algeria later in November. The actual dates of the warm up matches are yet to be announced.

The forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals will be the most immediate assignment for the UEFA Pro-Licence holder who last worked with Liberia in 2024.