The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced Marian (Mario) Marinica as the new head coach of the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Football Team, the Warriors.
Marinica replaces Michael Nees, who was dismissed last month following a poor run of results.
The 60-year old Romanian coach, who most recently served as head coach of Liberia, has signed a one-year contract. His primary assignment will be to lead the Warriors at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for December in Morocco.
His appointment takes immediate effect, and he will oversee the national team’s two international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar later this month.
Speaking on the appointment, ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi said:
“We are delighted to welcome Coach Marinica to Zimbabwe. His wealth of experience, modern football philosophy, and proven results at international level make him the ideal candidate to lead the Warriors into a new era. His appointment reflects ZIFA’s commitment to building a competitive and sustainable football structure that delivers results both on and off the pitch.”
Marian Marinica’s Profile
According to ZIFA, the Romanian coach holds a UEFA Pro Licence and boasts over 25 years of international coaching and technical experience across four continents — Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.
He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Coaching from South Bank University (England) and a Diploma in Management.
Throughout his career, Marinica has worked with several prestigious clubs and national teams, including Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Internazionale Milano, AS Monaco, Liverpool FC, and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the Paraguay, Mauritius, Malawi, and Liberia national teams.
Under his leadership, Malawi reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations — their best-ever finish — while Liberia became the highest climber in the FIFA Rankings in June 2024.
Marinica’s background also includes roles as Technical Director, Coach Educator, and Performance Consultant. He has extensive expertise in player development, match analysis, and grassroots football structures. His proven track record of empowering local coaches and integrating diaspora talent aligns closely with ZIFA’s long-term football development strategy.
Related Posts
#Marian #Marinica #appointed #Warriors #coach #Full #profile #mandate
