The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has named Romanian coach

Marian “Mario” Marinica as the new head coach of the senior men’s national team, the Warriors, on a one-year deal.

In a statement released on Monday, ZIFA described Marinica as an experienced UEFA Pro License holder with more than 25 years of international coaching experience across Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Marinica holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Coaching from South Bank University in London and a Diploma in Management. Over the years, he has collaborated with several prominent clubs and national teams, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter Milan, AS Monaco, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the national sides of Paraguay, Mauritius, Malawi, and Liberia.

Among his career highlights are leading Malawi to their first-ever Round of 16 appearance at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations and helping Liberia achieve the biggest rise in FIFA’s world rankings in June 2024.

ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi hailed the appointment as the start of a new chapter for Zimbabwean football.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Marinica to Zimbabwe,” said Magwizi. “His vast experience, modern tactical approach, and record of success at international level make him the perfect fit for the Warriors. This appointment underlines ZIFA’s vision to create a strong and sustainable football system that delivers consistent results.”

Beyond coaching, Marinica has also served as a Technical Director, Coach Educator, and Performance Consultant, specializing in player development, performance analysis, and grassroots football. His commitment to blending local and diaspora talent aligns closely with ZIFA’s long-term strategic goals.

Marinica will begin his duties immediately, overseeing preparations for Zimbabwe’s friendly matches against Algeria and Qatar and the AFCON 2025 qualification campaign.

Zimbabwe football legend Peter Ndlovu has congratulated Scottland FC for clinching the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title and booking their place in next season’s CAF Champions League.

The team, affectionately known as Mabviravira, sealed the championship in dominant fashion after thrashing Kwekwe United 5-1 to move to 65 points, seven clear at the top with two matches remaining.

Scottland’s triumph marks a historic milestone as they become only the second club since Independence to win the top flight league in their debut season, following in the footsteps of Black Rhinos’ famous 1985 success.

Posting on X, Ndlovu hailed the club’s remarkable journey and applauded everyone involved in their fairytale campaign.

“Congratulations to Scottland Football Club, the President, Management, Coach, technical team, players, backroom staff and supporters for winning the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Championship,” wrote Ndlovu.

“The club has shown bravery, sacrifice and resilience throughout the season. With their resources, quality players and support, the job still had to be done on the pitch and full credit goes to the coach and players for making it happen. The team has raised the bar and set a new benchmark for professionalism in Zimbabwean football,” he added.

Ndlovu also encouraged the champions to carry their impressive form into continental competition as they prepare to represent Zimbabwe in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.

“Cometh the test to invade and conquer the African Safari (CAF) and beyond. It’s possible,” he said.

With history already made, Mabviravira will now turn their attention to the African stage, where they aim to make an impact among the continent’s elite.

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has moved a step closer to appointing a new Warriors head coach after narrowing down its search to five experienced candidates for the national team’s top job.

The association has been seeking a replacement for former coach Michael Nees, whose tenure was cut short following a disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Under Nees, the Warriors failed to secure a single victory and finished at the bottom of Group C.

Although ZIFA has maintained tight confidentiality regarding the recruitment process, sources close to the selection panel confirmed that five coaches have made the final shortlist from more than 100 applicants.

Among the contenders is Stuart Baxter of England, a familiar name in African football, who previously guided Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, and the South African national team, Bafana Bafana.

Also in the running is Marian Mario Marinica, a Romanian coach and former Malawi national team manager who most recently worked with Liberia.

French tactician Patrice Neveu, who boasts coaching experience across Africa and beyond—including stints with Guinea, Kenya, the DRC, Haiti, Mauritania, and Gabon—is also reportedly on the list.

Two Portuguese coaches complete the lineup: Luis Gonçalves, formerly in charge of Mozambique, and António Conceição, who previously led Cameroon.

According to insiders, ZIFA conducted online interviews with several high-profile applicants before finalizing the shortlist. Each candidate is said to have substantial international exposure and experience managing in both European and African competitions.

The association is expected to make an official announcement soon, with the chosen coach likely to take charge ahead of upcoming FIFA international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar later this month. The matches are seen as an opportunity for the new coach to assess the Warriors squad before next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

ZIFA officials say the selection process was guided by strict criteria, requiring candidates to hold top-level coaching qualifications and a minimum of five years’ experience in CAF inter-club or national team competitions, including AFCON, CHAN, the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup, and COSAFA Cup.

Following the Warriors’ underwhelming World Cup campaign, fans and analysts alike are hopeful that the incoming coach will inject new energy and restore confidence as Zimbabwe targets a stronger showing at the AFCON finals.

Source- Herald