By Stephen Chuma

Warriors coach, Marian “Mario” Marinica on Thursday named a final 28 man squad for the AFCON tournament to be held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18th January 2026.

ZIFA and Marinica pulled a shocker by leaving our arguably the country’s best player at the moment, Marshall Munetsi. The Wolves midfielder who was reportedly injured took to social media and declared himself fit to play at AFCON 2025.

Munetsi revealed that his club Wolves had communicated with ZIFA updating them about his recovery but keeping up with their culture of incompetence, the football association never made a follow up communication with regards to his availability.

Munetsi played a crucial part in the Warriors qualification to the tournament which was achieved albeit with the team playing its home matches in South Africa.

When it comes to chaos and controversy, ZIFA takes the trophy in African football. While other countries are taking their best players including injured ones to the tournament, ZIFA have pulled a shocker including a 16 year old Scottland player, Tadiwa Chakuchichi who did not even manage more than three starts for his season the whole season.

The hosts Morocco included their influential PSG right back, Achraf Hakimi despite him being currently injured. Probably for Morocco the target is to go all the way and win the final and by that time Hakimi will be fit to play. Maybe for ZIFA they do not even dream of going beyond group stages hence for them it was a no brainer to include the Wolves midfielder.

After failing five times at the first hurdles in previous tournaments, will the Warriors proceed from their group without their Marshall? Will they the Warriors cross the Red Sea against the Pharoahs of Egypt? Can they get one over south of Limpopo rivals, Bafana Bafana? Will thi Marvelous Nakamba led Warriors do a marvel of hunting down the Palancas Negras of Angola?

Only time will tell. For now we say, Go Warriors Go!