The local contingent of the Zimbabwe senior men’s football team began arriving in camp yesterday as newly appointed coach Mario “Mariana” Marinica kicks off the first phase of preparations for the AFCON 2025 finals in Harare today.
With just under three weeks before the tournament begins, the Warriors’ technical team is moving quickly to assess home-based talent. Marinica named a 55-man provisional squad last week, and ZIFA confirmed that structured preparations will begin immediately as the countdown to the continental showpiece intensifies.
In a statement, ZIFA said the preliminary stage will give players an opportunity to showcase their readiness and suitability for the final squad.
“The preliminary phase affords the selected players one to five days to demonstrate their readiness, sharpness and tactical suitability, as head coach Mario ‘Mariana’ Marinica and his technical staff conduct rigorous assessments in anticipation of the final squad consolidation for AFCON,” the association said.
About 32 players are expected in camp this week. Most of them are coming from the domestic league’s off-season break, following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign at the weekend, where Dynamos were crowned Chibuku Super Cup champions after defeating Triangle 1-0 at Gibbo.
Formal training will commence this afternoon and will be conducted behind closed doors.
“In alignment with elite performance protocols and the technical team’s preparation demands at this stage, the session will be held strictly behind closed doors, with no access granted to the public or the media,” ZIFA added.
“This controlled environment is essential to safeguard tactical rehearsals, maintain high levels of concentration and allow the technical staff to prepare the team with optimal confidentiality ahead of the continental showpiece.”
Marinica cast his net wide after consulting a local committee of coaches established at his request two weeks ago. The committee recommended players they believed were worthy of evaluation, giving each of them a chance to impress the new coach before the final 23-man squad is selected.
Among the players expected in camp are senior figures such as former captain Knowledge Musona, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Nelson Chadya, Peter Muduhwa, Kevin Moyo and Ishmael Wadi, as well as emerging stars including Tadiwa Chakuchichi and Wilfred Madzungu of Division One side Sheasham.
At his unveiling, Marinica said he intends to give every player a fair chance.
“We look at these local players, but we’re also going to have some foreign-based players coming into the camp. We may be surprised,” he said.
“My door is open to anyone. It doesn’t matter the league, the country or the age. No places are guaranteed. Everyone has to fight for their position. We start from a clean sheet, and every training session is scrutinised and analysed.”
The coach acknowledged that securing foreign-based players early will be difficult, as international leagues are currently at their most demanding stages.
“It’s a big challenge for all the teams in AFCON. We have to assess every player and discuss with clubs on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
Marinica expressed optimism that the final squad would represent the nation with determination at the tournament.
“We will end up with 23 players who we believe are ready to fight for the country and create history,” he said.
This year’s AFCON tournament runs from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Zimbabwe has been drawn in Group B alongside South Africa, Egypt and Angola — a challenging but compelling group for the Warriors.
