Warriors head coach Marian Marinica has stepped up efforts to strengthen the national team by engaging Zimbabwean players based in the United Kingdom, including Liverpool defender Isaac Mabaya.
Marinica is currently in the UK on an assessment tour aimed at monitoring players already in the Warriors setup, while also identifying eligible talents who could bolster the squad in future assignments.
As part of the trip, the coach held discussions with several UK-based players, among them Mabaya.
The 21-year-old defender, who was born in England to Zimbabwean parents, is currently contracted to Liverpool and is spending the season on loan at Wigan Athletic. Although he is sidelined due to injury, Mabaya remains a key prospect for the Warriors. He previously represented England at junior level but is still eligible to play for Zimbabwe at senior level.
This is not the first time the talented fullback has been approached about representing Zimbabwe.
Former Warriors coach Michael Nees also met Mabaya during a UK visit last year, accompanied by ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi, as efforts to convince him to commit to the national team continued.
Marinica’s latest visit signals renewed determination by the Warriors technical team to strengthen the squad by tapping into the Zimbabwean diaspora, as the team prepares for upcoming international assignments.