HARARE – Zimbabwe’s new coach Marian ‘Mario’ Marinica has announced his first squad since his appointment, sticking with veterans Knowledge Musona and Marvelous Nakamba while also retaining the bulk of the squad which failed to make an impression during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Mario’s 24-man squad will play international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar later this month, as preparations intensify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in December.
The matches will be played during the November FIFA international window, with the fixtures expected to give Marinica a final look at his core group ahead of the finals which will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Apart from Luton Town’s Nakamba, 31, and Scottland FC forward Musona, 35, Mario has kept faith with young stars playing in English leagues including Tawanda Chirewa of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sean Fusire of Sheffield Wednesday.
Marinica will be assisted by Kaitano Tembo, with Pernel Charles Mckop as goalkeepers’ coach and Chikondi Mandalasi overseeing strength and conditioning.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
Defenders: Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata, Libya), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Scotland FC), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle)
Midfielders: Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirg Aue), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants)
Strikers: Knowledge Musona (Scotland FC), Tymon Machope (Scotland FC), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Washington Navaya (TelOne), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Walter Musona (Scotland FC)
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