Zimbabwe versus Botswana: Marinica feels vindicated on squad selection

Zimbabwe national team coach Marian ‘Mario’ Marinica has once again backed his team selection after delivering the goods with a dominant performance in the 3-0 thrashing of Botswana on Saturday.

The Warriors proved too strong for the Zebras during the Mukuru Four Nations Tournament semifinal match at Obed Itani Stadium in Francistown.

Victory.

FT| Botswana 🇧🇼0-3🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

1st half goals from Mongameli, Bonne and Antonio seal the win for Marinica’s men in Francistown. #PrideReignited #bayawabaya pic.twitter.com/HRtvLdXEDX

— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) March 28, 2026

In a post-match press conference, Marinica said the result shows that his team selection is based on meritocracy.

Marinica on what Zimbabwe’s victory means

“I believe in all the players I select. I keep saying that I select them on merit, whenever I select them, I believe they could produce a performance,” the coach said.

The former Malawi mentor also played down the performance of Mongameli Tshuma who scored on debut in the victory over the Zebras.

The Romanian stressed that his focus was on the team and not individuals.

“I don’t want to take the gloss out of that, but I am very happy with all the players because they have done fantastic,” he said. “When a player comes with a goal on debut it is even better but let us say we are a team. We win as a team, and we have lost before as a team.

Questions that arose on Warriors squad selection

Ahead of the game, there were questions on the omission of players such as Khama Billiat, Washington Arubi and Marshall Munetsi of Paris FC in France.

However, Zimbabwe delivered the goods courtesy of the goals from Bill Antonio, Tshuma and Macauley Bonne. The Warriors goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze also played his penalty by saving a penalty to ensure a clean sheet.