Marian Marinica Appointed as Zimbabwe Warriors Head Coach

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.