Marinica moves to mend rift with Munetsi

Zimbabwe national team coach Marian Marinica says he is seeking a direct meeting with midfielder Marshall Munetsi as part of efforts to resolve tensions and reintegrate the player into the national team setup.

Munetsi's absence from recent Warriors squads has sparked debate among fans and football stakeholders, especially given his status as one of Zimbabwe's most in-form players abroad.

The disagreement reportedly stems from Marinica's decision to exclude Munetsi from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad, citing injury concerns  -  a claim the midfielder publicly disputed, insisting he was fit and available for selection.

Since then, Munetsi has also been left out of the Four Nations tournament squad, further fuelling speculation of a breakdown in relations between the player and technical team.

Marinica, however, has moved to ease tensions, stressing the importance of communication and unity.

"In the spirit of clarity and unity, we have requested a meeting with Marshall Munetsi so that we can sit down and speak openly," he said.

"We want to get to the bottom of any misunderstandings that may be there."

Munetsi, currently plying his trade in Europe, has been in strong form since joining Paris FC on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring three goals in Ligue 1.

The midfielder previously played for Stade de Reims and South African giants Orlando Pirates, and is widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe's most experienced internationals, having featured in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

The development comes as the Warriors look to rebuild cohesion and strengthen their squad ahead of upcoming international fixtures, with Munetsi seen as a key figure in that process if reconciliation is achieved.