Warriors Arrive in Morocco Ahead of AFCON Finals
The Zimbabwean national team, the Warriors, arrived in Casablanca, Morocco, on Tuesday ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, which kick off in Rabat on Sunday.
Eighteen players flew out of Harare on Tuesday night and are set to join their teammates based in Europe, who were officially released by their clubs on 15 December.
Head coach Marian Marinica will therefore have his full squad together for the first time on Thursday, just four days before the Warriors’ opening Group B match against Egypt on Monday.
Marinica has spent the past three weeks working with the local and South African-based contingent, trying to instil a philosophy focused on pace and relentless attacking. He said:
“Well, obviously, it’s a little bit of a challenge, sometimes it takes time, but in order to think fast, act fast, move fast, be all prepared and organised, we have to have a clear strategy and get players to understand exactly their roles and responsibilities in the match.
“Also, we need to make sure that the players understand exactly what they need to do in certain areas so that tactically and technically, it becomes easier for them to physically apply and mentally concentrate, and socially.
“This means that to work as a group at any time, on the pitch, off the pitch, and at the same time, whatever challenges arise, we need to stay together and to work together. So far, we are on a very, very good track.”
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, will be held from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
The tournament opens with the hosts, Morocco, facing Comoros in a Group A match at 8 pm on Sunday. The game will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
