Marian Marinica Resigns as Zimbabwe National Team Coach

Marian Marinica has resigned as coach of Zimbabwe national football team, with the football association saying he left for personal reasons. He had led Zimbabwe to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations but they exited in the group stage. Former captain Kaitano Tembo has been appointed caretaker coach ahead of the Unity Cup tournament in London.

Romanian coach Marian Marinica has stepped down as head coach of Zimbabwe national football team, with the country’s football governing body, ZIFA, confirming his resignation on Monday. The association stated that Marinica left the role due to undisclosed personal reasons, without providing further details about the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Marinica, aged 61, was appointed in November on a one-year contract as part of efforts to rebuild the national team and improve its competitive performance on the continental stage. Before taking up the role in Zimbabwe, he had previously managed the national teams of Malawi and Liberia, bringing experience from African international football to his tenure with the Warriors.
During his time in charge, Marinica successfully guided Zimbabwe to qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco. However, the team’s performance in the tournament was disappointing, as they were eliminated in the group stage. Zimbabwe managed a draw against Angola but suffered defeats in their matches against Egypt and South Africa, ending their campaign without progressing further.
His resignation comes shortly after the conclusion of the tournament, marking an abrupt end to his short stint with the national side. The timing has raised attention among supporters, as the team was expected to continue under his leadership for the remainder of his contract period.
In response to his departure, ZIFA has moved quickly to appoint former national team captain Kaitano Tembo as caretaker coach. Tembo will take temporary charge of the team as preparations begin for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament scheduled for May 26–30 in London. The competition will feature Zimbabwe alongside India, Jamaica, and Nigeria, providing an early opportunity for the team to regroup under new leadership.
The change in coaching staff is seen as a transitional phase for Zimbabwean football as the association looks to stabilize the team and build momentum ahead of future international competitions.