Zimbabwe football vice-captain Marshall Munetsi has pulled out of the Warriors upcoming friendly internationals against Algeria and Qatar next weekend.
Munetsi, alongside Khama Billiat, were the biggest omissions to the just released squad which incoming coach Mario Marinica will handle for the first time.
While Billiat had been expected to withdraw, owing to recurrent injuries and fan backlash, Munetsi’s absence from the 24-man slipped the eyes of many, perhaps overshadowed by the hasty appointment if s new coach.
The Wolves hardman has turned into an overriding regular feature of most Warriors battles only missing the World Cup qualifier against Benin owing to suspension.
While there has been varied speculation over Munetsi’s no-show, Zifa dismissed any mischief saying the former Orlando Pirates midfielder remained committed to the national cause.
Yvonne Manwa, the Zifa chief executive officer, told New Ziana that Munetsi had asked that he be left out of the Fifa friendlies.
“He has requested that he does not come for this game. You know they have a new coach and also considering their position on the log,” said Manwa.
Wolves currently anchor the 20-team English Premiership table with a paltry two points after the first 10 matches.
Munetsi’s bosses have since fired manager Vitor Pereira and temporarily replaced him with the under-21s head coach, James Collins and his Under-18s counterpart Richard Walker for today’s fixture against Chelsea.
Manwa though had no explanation as to why Tawanda Chirewa, Munetsi’s clubmate, had been included in the Warriors team while faced with the same concerns.
The two Zimbabweans are also not the only players Wolves will release for international duty during the Fifa dates from 13-17 November.
The team’s other foreign players include goalkeepers José Sá (Portugal), defenders like Toti Gomes (Portugal), Santiago Bueno (Uruguay), and Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast), midfielders such as João Gomes (Brazil) and Andre (Brazil), and forwards like Hwang Hee-Chan (South Korea) and Jørgen Strand Larsen (Norway.
“Tawanda is coming. Even Marshall was called up but he requested to be excused,” the Zifa boss could only reiterate.
Among underlying issues are Munetsi’s club form with some sports pundits in England insinuating that he could lose his first team status under a new coach and he will be keen to avoid distractions.
There is also reported uneasiness between Munetsi and his national captain Marvellous Nakamba who hardly seem to get on well and rarely appear on the same line-up.
When he was ineligible to play against Benin Munetsi delayed reporting for camp for the second match against Rwanda coinciding with Nakamba’s return to the fold after a lengthy injury-induced
hibernation.
Munetsi’s absence is a terrific blow at a time incoming gaffer Mario needs to start crafting a formidable combination for the Warriors to get past the group stages for the first time at the African Cup of Nations finals.
The Algeria and Qatar matches form the last build-up ahead of the 2025 edition set for Morocco from December 21 to January 18, next year.
Warriors squad for November friendlies against Algeria and Qatar
Goalkeepers:
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants FC)
Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC)
Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
Defenders:
Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC, Libya)
Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen)
Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC)
Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC)
Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati)
Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle FC)
Midfielders:
Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirg Aue FC)
Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town FC)
Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday FC)
Prosper Padera (SJK Seina Joki)
Jordan Zemura (Udinese)
Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants FC)
Strikers:
Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC)
Tymon Machope (Scottland FC)
Prince Dube (Young Africans SC)
Washington Navaya (TelOne FC)
Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC)
Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen FC)
Walter Musona (Scottland FC)
