Story by Mthokozisi Dube
THE Zimbabwe senior men’s football team is preparing to test a new tactical approach under head coach Marian Mario Marinica as they face Qatar in their second international friendly at the Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium on Monday.
The match comes at a critical moment for the Warriors, who have gone nearly a year without a victory and are under pressure to stabilise their form ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco. Players and coaches alike say the aim is not simply to honour fixtures, but to rebuild confidence and restore national pride.
Captain Marvelous Nakamba said the squad has embraced the shift in methodology introduced by the new technical team.
“The boys are in high spirits. We are ready to embrace the new methods and tactics, and we are calling our fans to be patient. We will come out right as we are using the international break to prepare for the AFCON finals, he said.
Left-back Devine Lunga echoed the sentiment, noting that the team has been working intensively to adjust to Marinica’s philosophy.
“After arriving here, we have been trying to adapt to the coach ‘s philosophy so that we apply what he wants. The coach is bringing in new things to the boys, so we are trying to utilise and implement that as players. We have been having a marathon of meetings to catch up. Time is limited for national duty, so we have to make things happen during that short time frame.”
The Warriors will conduct a single evening session ahead of Monday’s match against Qatar.
