Zimbabweans React To ZIFA Hiring Marian Marinica As New Warriors Head Coach

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced the appointment of Romanian coach Marian Marinica as the new head coach of the Warriors, sparking a wave of intense reaction from fans and pundits across the nation. The decision, revealed on social media on 4 November 2025, has been met with widespread scepticism and confusion, with many questioning the rationale behind hiring a foreign coach with a perceived lack of a glittering track record.

The one-year contract given to Marinica, who previously worked as a technical advisor for ZIFA, has left many supporters feeling the association is repeating past mistakes with questionable appointments. The announcement came just months before the Warriors are set to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, adding to the pressure on the new coach.

A Certified Failure Or A Misunderstood Appointment?

The most common criticism levelled against the appointment centres on Marinica’s recent coaching record in Malawi. According to numerous social media users, his time there was unsuccessful, leading to his dismissal. One user, @obeyshava1, expressed a sentiment shared by many, making a stark comparison to local football.

“ZIFA appoints a nobody as the Warriors head coach. We were hearing names like Harry Redknapp & Kaitano as some of the leading candidates. This coach is a certified failure who was fired in Malawi for incompetence. It’s like replacing Musona with Benza in the national team.”

Further questions were raised about the authenticity of the coach’s CV, with user conrad mwanawashe querying the use of the term “distinguished” to describe his profile.

“Profile iyo ndiyo yamuri kuti ‘distinguished’? Varungu munovada chaizvo mungabva ma cleaner CV nekunyora kuti hee Arsenal what what kkkk achiitei ku Arsenal ikoko? From Romania? Haa tine problem chokwadi.”
(Is that what you call a ‘distinguished’ profile? You really love white people — you can take a cleaner’s CV and he writes that he was at Arsenal, what was he doing there? From Romania? We truly have a problem.)

User King Joash could not hide his disbelief at the decision, stating simply,

“Marinica failed in Malawi. But has landed Zim job. Mabasa. Munopenga here imi what kind of nonsense is that .”
(Marinica failed in Malawi. But has landed Zim job. Guys, are you mad — what kind of nonsense is that?)

The Local Coach Question

A recurring theme in the public outcry is the perceived snub of qualified local coaches. Many fans pointed to the successful tenures of past Zimbabwean coaches and questioned the “obsession” with foreign appointments. Politician and former MP Temba P. Mliswa was among those who voiced this concern.

“I don’t believe this is the solution. Our ZIFA administration, despite being totally Zimbabwean, has an unhealthy fixation with foreign coaches. The infatuation boggles the mind because the track record of these coaches has nothing glittering.”

User Cde Never Maswerasei echoed this history, listing local successes.

“Charles Mhlauri did well. Sunday Chidzambwa did well. Rhaman Gumbo did well. Norman Mapeza did well. They were Zimbabweans — what’s this recurrent obsession with foreign coaches?”

The name of Kalisto Pasuwa, a highly successful coach both in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa, was repeatedly mentioned as a more logical and inspiring choice. User Russell Choga was emphatic in his support for local talent.

“Ko Calisto Pasuwa working miracles everywhere he goes since day one? Kaitano Tembo, Peter Ndlovu, Benjani — many former players can do this or turn to our legends like @BruceGrobbelaa1! I can bet my left nut, give Shingi Kawondera this job he will deliver!”

User sniper proposed a specific local alternative, commenting,

“What’s pleasing about hiring a coach who is already a proven failure in Malawi with no proven track record of success? It’s better you hire Brito as head coach, being assisted by Ndiraya & Kaindu, if those other coaches are too expensive for you.”

Deep Distrust In ZIFA’s Leadership

Beyond the coach’s credentials, many reactions targeted the competence and motives of the ZIFA administration itself. The timing of the announcement, late at night, was seen by some as an attempt to minimise immediate backlash. User Lashias Ncube suggested this was a deliberate strategy.

“This Marinica fella is bang average. Small wonder @online_zifa waited until Zimbos went to bed to announce the appointment. It’s quite cruel how the rumour mill sold @WillardKatsande Stuart Baxter dreams.”

Advocate Fadzayi Mahere directly challenged the association on X, demanding a clear rationale for the decision.

“Good day @online_zifa. What’s the rationale for hiring a national coach who was fired by the Malawian football association for incompetence pursuant to back-to-back losses in their AFCON qualifiers? What factors motivated the decision? Is this the best decision and the correct timing? How’s it different from retaining the former coach? We need new leaders.”

User Nguvayakwana questioned the very foundation of the hiring process, stating,

“When hiring anyone for any job, the panellists making this choice should themselves be competent to select this individual. Can we confidently say this with ZIFA? This is where our problem as a football nation lies. Ma hwindi ari kutitsvagira coach aya.”
(When hiring anyone for any job, the panel selecting should themselves be competent. Can we confidently say this with ZIFA? These touts are the ones finding us this coach.)

The sentiment of utter disappointment was summarised by Kuda Jr, who posted,

“This proves beyond reasonable doubt that ZIFA actually hates the fans and is totally against football development and progress in Zimbabwe. Can’t convince me otherwise. No. ”

Some, however, urged for calm and a chance for the new coach to prove himself. Advocate Bhebhe called for non-interference, stating,

“Let us all hope that he won’t be instructed to hire who and who in his team. He must be given a chance to form his own team without interference. He mustn’t recycle these old players. I look forward to him hiring our young local players, 25 years and below.”

Lee Majohonye also pointed to the short contract as a potential issue, tweeting,

“He should be given the option to select his technical team. Philosophies differ. Also, a one-year contract is too short and it shows that you’re not even confident in your appointment decision. It brings job security under scrutiny!”

The overarching sentiment, however, remains one of deep disappointment and suspicion, capturing a feeling of a lost opportunity for the national team.