The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has appointed Marian (Mario) Marinica as the new head coach of the Warriors, the country’s senior men’s national football team, on a one-year contract.
The announcement marks a significant move for Zimbabwean football as the association seeks to revitalize the national team’s fortunes with an experienced international coach.
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Marinica, a UEFA Pro Licensed coach, brings over 25 years of international coaching and technical experience spanning four continents. His impressive resume includes stints with prestigious clubs such as Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Internazionale Milano, AS Monaco, Liverpool FC, and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 53-year-old coach also has significant experience working with national teams, having previously led Paraguay, Mauritius, Malawi, and Liberia. His academic credentials include a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Coaching from South Bank University in England and a Diploma in Management.
Marinica’s work in African football has yielded notable results. Under his leadership, Malawi achieved their best-ever finish at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the Round of 16. More recently, he guided Liberia to their highest-ever position in the FIFA Rankings in June 2024.
Beyond his coaching roles, Marinica has served as a Technical Director, Coach Educator, and Performance Consultant, with expertise in player development, match analysis, and grassroots structures. His experience in empowering local coaches and integrating diaspora talent aligns with ZIFA’s long-term football development strategy.
Speaking about the appointment, ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi expressed confidence in the new coach’s abilities.
“We are delighted to welcome Coach Marinica to Zimbabwe. His wealth of experience, modern football philosophy, and proven results at international level make him the ideal candidate to lead the Warriors into a new era,” Magwizi said. “His appointment reflects ZIFA’s commitment to building a competitive and sustainable football structure that delivers results both on and off the pitch.”
Marinica will assume his duties with immediate effect and faces an urgent task of preparing the Warriors for upcoming friendly matches against Algeria and Qatar, as well as the crucial AFCON 2025 qualification campaign.
The appointment comes at a critical time for Zimbabwean football, with supporters hoping that Marinica’s international experience and proven track record can help restore the Warriors to competitive form on the continental stage as they prepare for the 2025 AFCON finals to be played in January.
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