WARRIORS vice-captain Marshall Munetsi has expressed profound disappointment and hurt after being controversially omitted from the final 23-man squad announced on Thursday for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Morocco.
The influential midfielder, who serves as the Warriors’ vice-captain, was racing against time to recover from an injury picked up during his English club Wolverhampton Wanderers’ recent home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
However, the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa)’s swift decision to rule him out, seemingly bypassing the team’s own medical personnel and ignoring communication from Wolves, has sparked widespread criticism and left the player reeling.
Munetsi took to social media shortly after the squad announcement by coach Marian Marinica to reveal the full extent of the snub, confirming that his club had actively engaged with Zifa regarding his fitness.
In a statement that highlighted the frustrating lack of communication from the association, Munetsi clarified his situation.
“This one hurts, as representing the Warriors has always been a dream, and wearing our colours is the greatest honour of my career. Afcon would have even been more significant,” he posted.
The core of his pain stems from the belief that Zifa prematurely and unilaterally made the call, despite positive updates on his recovery.
“I had an injury recently, but my club, Wolves, communicated with the association that I was recovering well and even offered medical support to ensure that I could participate at the Afcon.”
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He added a stinging confirmation of the silence he subsequently received.
“Unfortunately, I received no follow-up communication, and decisions were made without clarity—speculation which wasn’t the case.”
Munetsi’s account directly contradicts the widespread belief that he was definitively ruled out by his club, suggesting instead that the decision to exclude him was made by the Zifa/technical team management, reportedly on the grounds of injury.
Despite the clear hurt, the Warriors skipper concluded his statement with a display of professionalism and unwavering commitment to the national cause.
“While I’m hurt, my unwavering support for the national team remains strong. I respect the coach’s decisions and stand behind the boys wholeheartedly. I will always be ready to defend the nation I love.
“Go Warriors, go! “
Munetsi’s absence is a significant blow to the Warriors as they prepare for a tough campaign in Group B, where they are set to face continental heavyweights Egypt, regional rivals South Africa, and Angola, when the tournament kicks off on December 21.
Munetsi was one of several high-profile absentees named by Marinica in his final selection.
The list of players failing to make the cut due to injury also included star forward Tino Kadewere, defender Jordan Zemura and Walter Musona.
South Africa-based striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, who is having a good season for Amazulu, also shockingly failed to make the grade.
However, the squad did feature some notable inclusions who managed to force their way in after being overlooked for previous Afcon and World Cup qualifiers, such as Macauley Bonne, Alec Mudimu, Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi, Ishmael Wadi, Washington Navaya and Junior Zindoga.
The controversy surrounding the captain’s dismissal, however, threatens to overshadow the team’s preparations, with many critics arguing that Zifa’s handling of Munetsi’s fitness was suspicious and fundamentally unfair to the player, who epitomises the spirit of the Warriors.
Interestingly, most if not all of Zimbabwe’s Afcon finals preparations have been overshadowed by controversy and drama which ultimately affects performance.
And with the target of at least qualifying for the second round of the competition this time around, the Warriors needed a different kind of preparation free from chaos.
