Munetsi unhappy after Africa Cup of Nations exclusion

Zimbabwe coach Mario Marinica on Thursday named a 28-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, but the announcement was quickly overshadowed by controversy surrounding the exclusion of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi.

Munetsi, who plays in the English Premier League, was left out of the squad after being ruled out with injury. However, the 29-year-old has publicly disputed the decision, insisting he is fit and alleging a conspiracy to deny him a place at what he fears could be his last AFCON tournament.

Also missing from the squad is Jordan Zemura, the Udinese fullback who said he was "heartbroken" to miss out after suffering a thigh injury.

The Warriors will open their Group B campaign against Egypt in Agadir on December 22, before facing Angola and South Africa in the same group.

In an emotional message sent to Marinica and later shared with the media, Munetsi expressed deep frustration and personal anguish over his omission.

"I played the first two games of the qualifiers versus Kenya and Cameroon whilst my wife was in hospital after having a miscarriage and she trusted me enough to stay there and make my country proud," Munetsi wrote.

"We did that and qualified for AFCON and taking that away from me and her is something that I can't even put into words."

At the centre of the dispute is a statement by Wolverhampton Wanderers coach Rob Edwards, who said Munetsi would be sidelined for at least four weeks after missing Monday's match against Manchester United. The Zimbabwe camp accepted the club's medical assessment and opted to exclude the midfielder from the tournament.

Munetsi, however, argued that the club had not ruled him out of the entire group stage.

"My club didn't say I can't play in the group stages, they just said the first game would be a risk," he said. "I have done everything you asked in reference to the request you made."

"I just don't think this is about football anymore because if I was really needed and important to the team then your message would be different. It's time for me to move on from this chapter."

He maintained that his injury was minor and precautionary.

"With regards to my injury, it's nothing big and I don't have pain at all, it's just the club trying to be cautious," Munetsi said, adding that ZIFA has a doctor who could still assess him, as permitted under FIFA regulations.

Marinica, responding to Munetsi, said the decision was based on official correspondence from the club and left the door open for a possible recall should Zimbabwe progress beyond the group stage.

"We had correspondence from your club. Unfortunately, you were declared unfit to be playing in the group stage matches," Marinica wrote.

"Therefore, I have not included you in the 28 players squad. However, if your recovery is going well, I will be looking to include you after the group stages."

"Sorry to give you the bad news, especially that I truly understand what AFCON means to you."

Meanwhile, Zemura also took to social media to express his disappointment at missing the tournament.

"You work so hard to achieve the small wins in your career. You give everything to the cause. You sacrifice everything," he wrote on Instagram.

"You fight till you can't fight no more, just to represent the flag of your blood. Your mother's land, your father's fields. Now at the final hurdle I've fallen. My body has given up, I guess that's the cost."

Zemura sustained his injury during Udinese's 2-1 defeat to Genoa on Monday.

Zimbabwe Final AFCON Squad

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (Moors World of Sport)

Defenders: Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Teenage Hadebe (Cincinnati), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United), Godknows Murwira (Scottland), Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata)

Midfielders: Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirg Aue), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Prosper Padera (Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho), Andrew Rinomhota (Reading)

Strikers: Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree), Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Washington Navaya (TelOne), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy)