Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
NATIONAL man’s football team head coach, Mario Marinica, has praised the attitude and commitment shown by the Warriors at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, saying the team demonstrated the right mentality despite exiting the tournament at the group stage in Morocco.
Speaking after Zimbabwe’s final Group B match against South Africa, in which the Warriors twice came from behind, Marinica said his players showed resilience and belief in challenging circumstances throughout the campaign.
“I am proud of the attitude of the players. They never stopped believing, they never hid, and they continued to fight until the end. That is the mentality we need going forward,” he said.
However, the Warriors coach said the AFCON experience had also exposed areas that require attention beyond the national team setup, particularly in preparing players for the psychological demands of elite football.
“We must do more at home to prepare players for challenging moments. At this level, small mistakes are punished. Mental strength, decision-making and composure come from consistent exposure and proper preparation,” he added.
Meanwhile, teenage midfielder Tawanda Chirewa urged the nation to remain supportive of a youthful squad that is still in its formative stages, despite the disappointment of an early exit.
“This tournament has shown what we can become. It hurts now, but we have gained experience that money cannot buy. We must keep building and keep believing, and hopefully the nation can also believe in us,” said Chirewa.
Zimbabwe’s squad featured 13 players aged 23 and under, underlining a rebuilding process aimed at future Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.
Chirewa said patience and unity from supporters will be key as the Warriors turn their focus to the next AFCON cycle, with lessons from Morocco expected to shape the team’s development going forward.
