Marumo Gallants keeper Arubi: Zimbabwe ready for Algeria

Zimbabwe and Marumo Gallants’ first-choice goalkeeper Washington Arubi says the Warriors are ready to face Algeria on Thursday under new coach Mario Marinica.

The friendly against Algeria then versus Qatar in Saudi Arabia is part of the AFCON preparations for Zimbabwe.

#CampChronicles

A WORD FROM THE WARRIORS: Washington Arubi 🇿🇼#ZIFA #AFCON2025 #GoWarriors #RoadToMorocco #TeamZimbabwe #WarriorsInCamp #WarriorsInSaudi #ZIMvALG #AFCON2025Prep #Football #WarriorsReady #Friendlies pic.twitter.com/7f3hlBSOgk

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Ahead of the friendlies, Arubi stressed the need for the Warriors players to step up their game and impress Marinica who has spent a few days with the team.

“I am excited to be here and to be back with the boys…90 percent of the players are here. We have been pushing and working hard in the gym. We can see the morale is high. We are ready to prepare for the Algeria game,” the keeper said.

The PSL veteran then explained the importance of the squad to adapt to the playing philosophy of Marinica.

“We will give our best and try to understand the new philosophy of the new coach and go with it. It also depends on him, on how he will tell us to go for the game. We just have to go there with a positive mindset, try hard and get a good result,” he said.

The first-choice battle between Arubi and Chipezeze

It remains to be seen if the new coach will stick to Arubi as the first-choice keeper ahead of Magesi FC’s in-form shot stopper Elvis Chipezeze. Zimbabwe’s immediate-past coach Michael Nees opted for Arubi.

Now, the Warriors are under the reign of the Romanian-born Englishman Marinica. He started his reign days ago after signing a one-year contract to replace Nees. The Englishman has since hit the ground running to prepare for the Warriors participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled for December.

Kickoff: 1830 HRS (CAT)/ 1930 HRS (Jeddah time)

🏟️ Venue: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadium (Saudi Arabia)

📺 Streaming/Broadcast Channel: To Be Announced

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