Warriors’ Qatar Clash Overshadowed by Technical Bench Uncertainty
Zimbabwe continue their November international window with a second friendly match on Monday when they take on Qatar in Doha.
The fixture will be staged at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, with kick-off set for 6:30 pm CAT. It comes just four days after the Warriors suffered a 3-1 defeat to Algeria in Jeddah, a result that highlighted both the team’s potential and the areas that still require urgent attention ahead of the 2025 AFCON.
The squad left Saudi Arabia early on Saturday and arrived in Doha later in the day. They held their first training session on Saturday evening as preparations resume for their final outing of the window.
However, the build-up has been overshadowed by growing tension inside the camp. Head coach Mario Marinica is reportedly struggling to maintain harmony within the squad, with several senior players unhappy about his communication style and what they describe as poor man-management. According to sources close to the team, some players feel disrespected, while others believe tactical instructions are inconsistent and unclear.
These issues have fuelled fresh rumours that ZIFA could be considering a change on the technical bench ahead of next month’s AFCON. Although no official comment has been made, internal discussions are believed to be ongoing, with some board members reportedly concerned about the atmosphere in camp and its potential impact on preparations.
For now, Marinica remains in charge and will lead Zimbabwe against Qatar on Monday, but the uncertainty around his future adds an intriguing narrative to what was supposed to be a straightforward friendly.