‘These are soldiers’: Willard Katsande blasts ZIFA for Marshall Munetsi’s AFCON saga

Marshall Munetsi has become the heartbeat of the Zimbabwe Warriors in recent years. Calm in possession, relentless without the ball, he anchors midfield battles with authority. Beyond tackles and passes, he inspires teammates with humility and relentless work ethic. As captain, he carries responsibility proudly, speaking up when things are wrong.

His commitment shows in every sprint, challenge and late defensive block. Therefore fans expected his name to headline Zimbabwe’s AFCON squad. Instead, his omission stunned the nation and triggered uncomfortable questions for ZIFA. For many supporters, Munetsi symbolises discipline, sacrifice and unshakeable national pride.

Willard Katsande blasts ZIFA for Marshall Munetsi’s AFCON saga

Willard Katsande did not hold back after Munetsi’s AFCON omission. The former Warriors captain questioned ZIFA’s handling of their leader. He reminded officials that players like Munetsi sacrifice everything for the flag.

“These are soldiers,” Katsande thundered, insisting they deserved far better treatment. According to him, someone at ZIFA should have followed up properly. Club doctors reportedly updated ZIFA, yet meaningful engagement never materialised.

Consequently, confusion grew around Munetsi’s fitness and true availability for Morocco. Katsande argued that clear communication could have protected both player and coach. Instead, silence created needless drama and undermined trust within the camp. He stressed that modern football demands professionalism from administrators as much as players.

Moreover, he warned that future stars may hesitate to commit fully. If leaders feel disposable, commitment inevitably suffers. Katsande’s fierce defence of Munetsi therefore echoed wider frustrations among long-suffering Warriors supporters.

He urged ZIFA to apologise publicly and rebuild broken relationships. Only then, he suggested, can Zimbabwe fully harness its footballing talent.