ZIFA Appoints Romanian Mentor Mario Marinica

5 November 2025

By SFM News

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has named the Romanian-born coach, Mario Marinica as the new head coach of the senior men’s national team.

Marinica, a UEFA Pro Licensed coach with over 25 years of international experience, has signed a one-year contract and takes up his post with immediate effect.

The seasoned tactician has worked with some of the world’s top clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter Milan, AS Monaco, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as several national teams such as Paraguay, Mauritius, Malawi, and Liberia.

He made headlines in 2022 when he guided Malawi to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 finish, and previously led Liberia to become the highest climber in FIFA’s world rankings.

ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi says Marinica’s appointment marks a new era for Zimbabwean football, adding that his modern football philosophy and proven results at international level make him the ideal man to lead the Warriors forward.

Marinica’s first assignments with Warriors will include upcoming friendly matches against Algeria and Qatar, as well as preparing the Warriors for the AFCON 2025 games.

ZIFA says the appointment is part of its wider plan to revive national football, strengthen grassroots structures, and build a competitive Warriors squad capable of challenging on the continental stage.