CASABLANCA – Warriors coach Marian Marinica is surely a man on a mission to prove a point at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that gets underway in Morocco on Sunday 21st December 2025.
Zimbabwe, who are in Group B along with Angola, Egypt and South Africa, begin their quest for glory in the tournament with a match against the Pharaohs on Monday night.
With the latest withdrawal of midfielder Andy Rinomhota and omission of Marshall Munetsi and Jordan Zemura due to injuries, the Warriors midfield has been left short and will have to rely on rookies.
Rinomhota withdrew from the Warriors camp on Friday citing personal reasons.
“I wish to inform the public that I have had to withdraw from the Zimbabwe Men’s national team camp, effective immediately due to an urgent family matter that requires my full personal attention,’’ said Rinomhota in a statement.
“I am deeply gutted to miss out on a tournament of this magnitude. Representing Zimbabwe at the highest level has always been a source of pride and while I was fully committed to this opportunity, the timing of this family means I am not in the right psychological space to give the team my best.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. I remain fully committed to the national team and look forward to returning to duty once the family matter has been resolved.
“I would like to wish my teammates and the entire technical group the very best at the tournament. I will be supporting them wholeheartedly and praying that Zimbabwe goes all the way.
“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Football Association for the opportunity and support they have given me.
“I respectfully request privacy for myself and my family during this period,’’ Rinomhota concluded.
![Zimbabwe Warriors stiker Macauley Bonne going through his paces on the team's second day of training in Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations [Picture: @online_zifa].](https://rosgwen24.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-12.jpeg "AFCON 2025: Marinica on brink of history despite Rinomhota setback 2")
Despite the setback, Marinica will still be hopeful of writing a special piece of history especially with the presence of Maldon and Tiptree striker Macauley Bonne who is making his debut AFCON gig.
“I am happy to be here representing the Warriors. We know it will be tough but we will try and be able to do well in the group phase,” Bonne was quoted by The Herald.
“We have worked hard as a group and we have been building a good understanding with each other.
“We are hoping that we will play and do well in this tournament. Everyone is pushing hard and we will try to make the country proud.”
Bonne’s record makes him the man to watch for the Warriors especially with 2 goals in 5 games for his national team resume.
Zimbabwe has never gone beyond the group stages at the AFCON tournament and Marinica will be looking to break that curse at the country’s fifth attempt.
Marinica will be banking on his impressive stat which saw him take Malawi to the round of 16 at the previous edition in Ivory Coast.
