The Zimbabwe Warriors are facing turbulent times ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Reports of player resistance to new coach Mario Marinica's instructions have surfaced, adding to the pressure as the team prepares for the prestigious tournament.
Coach Marinica Faces Resistance
Marinica, who took over after a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, has admitted that some players are struggling to adapt to his methods. This follows a 3-1 defeat to Algeria in a recent friendly match. The coach suggests that some players yearn for the old ways, but emphasizes the need for change to improve the team's performance. He pointed to the team's poor record in World Cup qualification as justification for his changes: "If they would have had seven or eight wins in World Cup qualification, I wouldn’t be here for sure... so, obviously, they have to change, and I am here to help them change."
Racism Allegations Denied
Adding fuel to the fire, allegations of racism within the camp have emerged, with reports suggesting that some players were offended by Marinica's strong language. However, Zimbabwe star Marvelous Nakamba has vehemently denied these claims. He stated, "The camp is not divided. We are one. We are Zimbabweans. We need to support each other. We are trying to adjust to the new philosophy of the new coach."
Nakamba emphasized the team's unity and commitment to adapting to the new coach's style of play. He also stated that he had not heard any racist remarks and that the team was focused on training for the upcoming AFCON tournament.
Looking Ahead to AFCON
Despite the challenges, the Zimbabwe Warriors are determined to put on a strong showing at AFCON. They will face Qatar in their final international friendly before the tournament kicks off. The team will need to quickly resolve these internal issues if they hope to compete against South Africa, Egypt, and Angola in the group stage.