Local Flavour Returns To Warriors Squad As Marinica Calls Up Eight Home Based Stars

In a refreshing turn for Zimbabwean football, the Warriors’ latest squad to face Algeria and Qatar features a notable rise in locally-based players, signalling a renewed faith in domestic talent.

After years of foreign dominated selections, new Warriors head coach Marian Marinica has shown intent to balance experience with home-grown quality, naming eight local players in his squad for the upcoming international friendlies.

Among those making the cut are Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC), Godknows Murwira (Scotland FC), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Washington Navaya (TelOne FC), Walter Musona (Scotland FC) and Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), the latter earning his first national team call up after a stellar domestic campaign.

The locally-based contingent is expected to depart for Saudi Arabia this afternoon, where Zimbabwe will lock horns with Algeria on Thursday before facing Qatar in their second friendly.

Marinica, who has already arrived in Saudi Arabia to link up with his squad, is said to be keen on assessing players from the local league ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifiers.

While the likes of Marshall Munetsi, Knowledge Musona, Tymon Machope, and Khama Billiat miss out due to various reasons, the inclusion of more Premier Soccer League stars marks a positive shift, and a possible revival of faith in local football structures.

For years, calls have grown louder for coaches to recognise domestic talent, and this latest selection could be the beginning of a new era, one that blends international experience with home-grown hunger.