There is a massive outcry in Zimbabwe following the omission of ex-Orlando Pirates star Marshall Munetsi from The Warriors squad for the second time in a row, as they prepare for the upcoming Four Nations invitational tournament in Botswana.
Munetsi, who is currently enjoying a rich vein of form at Paris FC in France, was overlooked as Zimbabwe National Team coach Mario Marinica named a 23-man squad for the tournament scheduled for the upcoming FIFA international break.
The tournament, to be played at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium between 23 and 31 March, will feature the hosts Botswana, Zambia, and Malawi.
This is the second time Munetsi has been left out in the cold. In January, he was left disappointed when he was overlooked for the 2025 AFCON on the pretext that he was injured.
This time around, no explanation has been given for his exclusion. The former Pirates star, who is on loan at Paris FC from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League, has scored in each of his last three Ligue 1 matches. He scored against Toulouse FC, OGC Nice, and Olympique Lyonnais.
After being excluded from the 2025 AFCON, the 29-year-old penned an emotional Facebook post, expressing his feelings over the exclusion. Munetsi last played for Zimbabwe on 13 October 2025, when they lost 1-0 to Lesotho in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
MUNETSI’S FAMILY MEMBERS URGE HIM TO QUIT INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL
Munetsi’s family members are urging him to quit international football and focus on his club football career, as he is not being recognised in Zimbabwe.
“Warriors squad for Four Nations Cup announced. No place for Marshall Munetsi, Warriors skipper Marvelous Nakamba included. It’s time for Munetsi to consider international retirement from the national team. He should use his remaining years to focus on his club,” one of Marshall’s popular relatives, Moreboys Munetsi, posted on Facebook.
Other notable absentees include Brendan Galloway of Plymouth Argyle, Tawanda Chirewa of Barnsley, and Jordan Zemura of Udinese Calcio, who are all sidelined through injury.
Divine Lunga of Mamelodi Sundowns is also not part of the squad. In addition, Elvis Chipezeze, Emmanuel Jalai, Isheanesu Mauchi, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, and Daniel Msendami of Magesi FC, Chippa United, AmaZulu FC, and Pirates respectively, made the cut to represent Zimbabwe.
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