Tensions are rising in Zimbabwe football as vice captain Marshall Munetsi faces calls to apologise to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), Warriors fans, and the nation for remarks suggesting he was unfairly left out of the AFCON 2025 squad while reportedly fit.
The controversy stems from Munetsi’s injury in England on 3 December 2025 while playing for Wolves. Initially, the club announced a six-week recovery period. However, later updates indicated Munetsi had recovered quickly and was about 90 percent fit ahead of AFCON, which kicked off on 21 December.
Despite this, Munetsi has remained sidelined, prompting some fans to question his claims. Sections of supporters accused him of misleading the public, while others believed he genuinely wanted to play but was prevented for other reasons.
Unverified reports suggest ZIFA has formally requested Munetsi retract his statements about his fitness or risk exclusion from future Warriors plans. Zimbabwe coach Marian Mario Marinica and ZIFA officials are reportedly demanding a formal apology for “misleading the nation” regarding his injury status.
The saga is compounded by wider tensions. Munetsi’s past remarks calling for better player welfare and renovations at the National Sports Stadium are said to have drawn the ire of senior officials, including ZANU PF figures, who labelled them unpatriotic.
Fans, meanwhile, are not holding back. Many argue ZIFA and Marinica owe an apology of their own for benching talents like Tawanda Chirewa and Maswanhise, which they claim contributed to Zimbabwe’s premature AFCON exit.
As of 12 January 2026, Munetsi and Wolves have yet to comment on the midfielder’s continued absence from the national team. The controversy leaves the Warriors camp under intense scrutiny ahead of future fixtures.
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