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Zimbabwe Hit with Injury Blow as Stars Left Out of AFCON Squad

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Marshall Munetsi
Warriors suffer setback as Munetsi and Zemura Snubbed

Injury woes hit Zimbabwe as key players left out of AFCON squad. Zimbabwe to miss Munetsi and Zemura's services at AFCON in Morocco.


“I had an injury recently, but my club, Wolves, communicated with the association that...”


Marshall Munetsi is frowning after being snubbed for Zimbabwe's AFCON squad. The Wolves forward had been battling a calf strain, which he picked up against Nottingham Forest on December 3rd.


Munetsi's omission has raised eyebrows, with the midfielder expressing his disappointment. “This one hurts,” he said, clearly gutted to miss the tournament in Morocco.


Zimbabwe's coach, Marian “Mario” Marinica, has unveiled a 28-man squad for the tournament, but Munetsi won't be part of it. The Warriors will be looking to make an impact in the AFCON, but they'll be without the Wolves star.


Marshall Munetsi, Zimbabwe's assistant captain and former Reims star, is disappointed after being left out of the Africa Cup of Nations squad due to injury. He claims the decision was made without follow-up communication from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).


Munetsi, who has made 13 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers this season, scoring one league goal and providing one assist, believes his injury is manageable. He says his Premier League club offered medical support through ZIFA to help him participate in the tournament in Morocco.


‘I respect the coach’s decisions’
“This one hurts, as representing the Warriors has always been a dream, and wearing our colours is the greatest honour of my career. AFCON would have even been more significant,” Munetsi wrote on his social media pages


“I had an injury recently, but my club, Wolves, communicated with the association that I was recovering well and even offered medical support to ensure that I could participate at the AFCON. Unfortunately, I received no follow-up communication, and decisions were made without clarity—speculation which wasn't the case.”


Despite being left out of the squad, Munetsi says he's still fully behind the Warriors' efforts in Morocco. He respects the coach's decision and is ready to represent Zimbabwe whenever he's needed.


“While I’m hurt, my unwavering support for the national team remains strong. I respect the coach’s decisions and stand behind the boys wholeheartedly. I will always be ready to defend the nation I love,” added Munetsi.



Zimbabwe's AFCON Hopes Dashed as Munetsi and Zemura Miss Out

Zimbabwe's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign has been dealt a significant blow with the news that midfielder Marshall Munetsi and defender Jordan Zemura will miss the tournament due to injuries.


Munetsi, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers, suffered a calf injury, while Zemura, who plays for Udinese, has a thigh injury. Both players were key figures in Zimbabwe's qualifying campaign, and their absence will be deeply felt.


Zimbabwe will open their AFCON campaign against Egypt on December 22, followed by matches against Angola and South Africa. Coach Mario Marinica will need to regroup and find alternatives to fill the gaps left by Munetsi and Zemura.


“You work so hard to achieve the small wins in your career. You give everything to the cause. You sacrifice everything, you work non-stop,” said Zemura. “You fight till you can’t fight no more, just to represent the flag of your blood.


“Your mothers land your father’s fields. You work to inspire the youth, the ones after you, that’s all it ever was. Now at the final hurdle I’ve fallen, my body has given up I guess that’s the cost.”


Zemura wished Zimbabwe's national team, the Warriors, all the best for the AFCON, and urged fans to back the team.


“The price you pay, however, I will be back. I will defend these colours again. I will lead this team again. For what is God's will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I wish my fellow Warriors all the best luck in Morocco, I wish to be with you on the field fighting with you.


“I know you will be fine, I know you will make us proud. I wish you my country the best. Go and defend our colours and make us proud. I’m sorry I can’t be there with you.”


Zimbabwe are in Group B with Angola, Egypt, and South Africa for the AFCON. They'll face Egypt on December 22nd at Stade Adrar, kicking off their tournament campaign.



Zimbabwe final AFCON squad

Goalkeepers; Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC).


Defenders; Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata, Libya), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United), and Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns).


Midfielders; Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirge Aue), Andrew Rinomhota (Reading), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinäjoki), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC).


Forwards; Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Washington Navaya (TelOne), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy), Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland FC).




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