Warriors Camp Faces Player Walkouts as Tensions With Coach Mario Marinica Escalate

The Warriors camp is facing internal collapse after players Tawanda Chirewa and Tawanda Maswanhise walked out on Thursday, less than 24 hours after Zimbabwe’s 3–1 defeat to Algeria.

Their departure follows days of mounting tensions between players and head coach Mario Marinica, with several squad members describing the atmosphere as “poisonous.” Jordan Zemura and Marshall Munetsi had already stayed away before the Algeria match, and sources say more senior players are considering leaving before Monday’s game against Qatar.

Inside the camp, players say repeated clashes over Marinica’s leadership style have created a combative and draining environment. One insider said, “He treats adults like kindergarten kids. The insults are constant, and they’ve escalated. The team is at breaking point.”

Examples shared by players point to growing frustration. “He told Maswanhise, ‘you are playing like a grandmother.’ He told Jalai he doesn’t even look like a player. There’s just no respect,” a source said.

Tensions further increased after Marinica sidelined Marvellous Nakamba and Divine Lunga, both previously key members of the squad. Players say they no longer trust the coach’s approach and are confused by his “helicopter football” system, which struggled in its first outing in Jeddah.

Before taking charge of his first training session, Marinica warned players that no one would receive favours. “You have to deserve to be there,” he told them, adding that he believed the squad had talent but needed to be “more direct.” After the friendlies, he said he would consider local players for AFCON and claimed he did not select the current squad.

The defeat to Algeria appears to have widened the rift, with players saying the team struggled to understand the coach’s system during the match. The Warriors were overwhelmed early, leaving players unsure of what was expected of them on the field.

With the Qatar match approaching, the team remains in disarray. Two players have already left the camp, and others are threatening to follow. Squad members say unless major changes are made, more walkouts may occur as internal tensions continue to rise.