Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Warriors coach Marian Marinica has hailed the fighting spirit shown by his players at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting Zimbabwe left Morocco with their heads held high despite a group-stage exit.
Reflecting on the final Group B clash against South Africa, where the Warriors twice clawed their way back after falling behind, Marinica said the performance summed up the character of his squad.
The Romanian praised the team’s resilience, belief and commitment, saying even in tough moments they refused to surrender, showing the mentality he wants to build going forward. He said:
“I am proud of the attitude of the players. They never stopped believing, they never hid, and they continued to fight until the end. That is the mentality we need going forward.”
However, Marinica stressed the importance of preparing players for the mental demands of elite football. He said:
“We must do more at home to prepare players for challenging moments. At this level, small mistakes are punished.
“Mental strength, decision-making and composure come from consistent exposure and proper preparation.”
Meanwhile, the Warriors returned home Wednesday morning following their exit from the AFCON tournament on Monday.
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