Why Marinica has dropped Munetsi from Zimbabwe squad

Zimbabwe national team coach Marian ‘Mario’ Marinica has excluded France-based midfielder Marshall Munetsi for reasons that appear unrelated to his form but rather reflect a strained relationship.

The Romanian omitted the former Orlando Pirates star from the squad bound for Botswana to participate in a four-nations tournament involving Malawi, Zambia and the hosts from 23 to 31 March 2026.

Warriors ready. Pride reignited. 🇿🇼

Coach Marian Marinica has named his squad for the Four Nations International Tournament in Francistown, Botswana, as Zimbabwe prepares for two big matches on 28 and 31 March.

This is your squad. This is your flag. This is Warrior Pride.… pic.twitter.com/hNbATw8Byq

— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) March 12, 2026

The relationship between the two has not been good after the Wolverhampton FC man challenged his omission from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final squad, saying he was fit to play contrary to what the former Liberia mentor said that the midfielder was injured.

Is Munetsi’s ‘this isn’t football anymore’ jibe coming back to haunt him?

Munetsi, who has rediscovered form on loan at Paris FC, made such remarks to effectively imply that Marinica was wrong to exclude him from the AFCON squad last December. The Warriors star made such remarks even when Wolves were not featuring him at that time due to the injury.

“I don’t think this is about football anymore… The national team doesn’t want me,” the 29-year-old had then said.

The Premier League struggling side eventually shipped the defensive midfielder out on loan to the French Ligue 1 club where he has scored in three consecutive matches. Such a form has not swayed the former Malawi coach.

Nonetheless, Marinica has named a strong squad comprising England-based skipper Marvelous Nakamba with the bulk of the players drawn from clubs in South Africa and Europe.

Other absentees are first-choice goalkeeper Washington Arubi of Marumo Gallants in South Africa, star wingers Khama Billiat of Scottland FC and CAPS United’s Ishmael Wadi. The reasons for the duo’s exclusion are not yet clear.

Football associations from the four countries hatched the plan for the strength-building matches to prepare their national teams for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

The full squad for the Warriors of Zimbabwe

Goalkeepers

Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC)

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 Minaa)

Isheanesu Mauchi (Chippa United)

Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati)

Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo)

Midfielders

Marvelous Nakamba (Sheffield Wednesday)

Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirge Aue)

Panashe Makwiramiti (Haverfordwest)

Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki)

Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen)

Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday)

Forwards

Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell)

Knowledge Musona (Scotland)

Prince Dube (Young Africans)

Daniel Musendami (Orlando Pirates)

Macauley Bonne (Billericay FC)

Thando Ngwenya (AmaZulu FC)