Zifa's buy 1 get 2 foreign coaches will hurt Warriors

The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has once again reached into the global bargain bin of foreign coaches and unveiled a largely unfamiliar name - Romanian tactician Marian Marinica - as The Warriors' new head coach.

Armed with a UEFA Pro Licence and a résumé that spans Europe, Asia and Africa, Marinica arrives as the latest in a long line of imported hopes meant to revive Zimbabwe's national football fortunes.

Official statements paint him as "highly accomplished," a champion of youth and diaspora talent, and an advocate for "modern football philosophy." On paper, his CV boasts associations with English giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. But closer inspection reveals a more modest reality - mostly academy, technical or scouting roles, many dating back over a decade.

Marinica's most notable managerial success came in 2022, when he guided Malawi to the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations - a commendable feat for The Flames. Yet, his tenure there soon unravelled amid criticism over defensive tactics, poor results and fan discontent. Lawmakers openly questioned his appointment, and the Football Association of Malawi did little to retain him after a string of defeats.

It's a familiar story for Zimbabwe. Michael Nees, another little-known European coach with impressive paper credentials, departed under a cloud after failing to inspire results or identity in the Warriors' camp.

Zifa's latest move has reignited debate over its long-standing fixation with foreign résumés at the expense of proven local talent. Coaches such as Kaitano Tembo and Kalisto Pasuwa - both respected for their continental achievements - were again overlooked.

Pasuwa, in particular, stands out as a serial winner in domestic and regional competitions, while Tembo was only recently brought in as second assistant coach to help stabilise the team during Nees's turbulent reign. It remains unclear whether he will retain a role under Marinica.

Analysts say Zimbabwe's football problems extend beyond the technical bench. Years of administrative instability, erratic player selection and neglected talent pipelines have left the national team adrift. Against this backdrop, the new coach faces a monumental task - to deliver quick results while rebuilding trust among players and supporters alike.

Marinica inherits both opportunity and skepticism. His challenge will be to unify the fractured strands of local and diaspora football, instil a competitive identity and, above all, win.

Because for a fan base weary of "rebuilding projects" and imported experiments, credentials no longer count - only results do.

Marinica may have the experience, but he must prove he's not just another chapter in Zifa's endless search for salvation abroad.

The Warriors deserve more than another experiment.
Now, it's up to the Romanian to show he is the exception.