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Marinica Returns to Southern Africa as Zimbabwe Warriors Head Coach

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced the appointment of Romanian tactician Marian (Mario) Marinica as the new Head Coach of the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Football Team, the Warriors, on a one-year contract. The announcement, made Tuesday, marks Marinica’s return to Southern African football just over two years after his controversial exit from Malawi.

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The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced the appointment of Romanian tactician Marian (Mario) Marinica as the new Head Coach of the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Football Team, the Warriors, on a one-year contract. The announcement, made Tuesday, marks Marinica’s return to Southern African football just over two years after his controversial exit from Malawi.

Marinica, 61, was dismissed by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) in April 2023 following a string of poor results in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. His tenure ended after back-to-back defeats to Egypt — a 2-1 loss in Cairo on March 24 and a crushing 4-0 defeat at home at Bingu National Stadium on March 28. The losses sparked public outrage, with fans staging protests and calling for the resignation of both Marinica and FAM President Walter Nyamilandu Manda.

Despite the sour ending, Marinica’s time in Malawi was not without highlights. He is credited with leading the Flames to a historic Round of 16 finish at the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon — Malawi’s best-ever performance at the continental showpiece. His tactical approach, dubbed “fast and very fast football,” earned praise during the tournament, where Malawi stunned Senegal with a goalless draw and defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in the group stage.

ZIFA expressed confidence in Marinica’s qualifications, experience and regional familiarity, stating that throughout his “distinguished” career, he has worked with several prestigious clubs and national teams.

“A highly accomplished UEFA Pro Licensed coach, Marinica brings over 25 years of international coaching and technical experience across four continents – Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Coaching from South Bank University (England) and a Diploma in Management, underlining a blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership. Throughout his distinguished career, Marinica has worked with several prestigious clubs and national teams including Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Internazionale Milano, AS Monaco, Liverpool FC, and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the Paraguay, Mauritius, Malawi, and Liberia national teams,” ZIFA said in a press statement.

The Romanian’s background also includes serving as a Technical Director, Coach Educator, and Performance Consultant, with deep expertise in player development, match analysis, and grassroots structures. His track record of empowering local coaches and integrating diaspora talent aligns closely with ZIFA’s long-term football development strategy.

Speaking on the appointment, ZIFA President Ngobile Magwizi said:

“We are delighted to welcome Coach Marinica to Zimbabwe. His wealth of experience, modern football philosophy, and proven results at international level make him the ideal candidate to lead the Warriors into a new era. His appointment reflects ZIFA’s commitment to building a competitive and sustainable football structure that delivers results both on and off the pitch.”

Marinica’s immediate task will be preparing the Warriors for the 2025 AFCON campaign scheduled for next month. His appointment has sparked mixed reactions among Zimbabwean football fans, with some hopeful that his previous success with Malawi could translate into a revival for the Warriors, while others remain cautious given his recent setbacks.

As the Warriors embark on a new chapter, all eyes will be on Marinica to see whether he can replicate past glories and steer Zimbabwe back to the top tier of African football.

Football

Transcript: VAR audio of West Ham’s disallowed goal

VAR: The left arm of Pablo comes across Raya and holds on to the left arm of Raya as he goes to win the ball.

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David Raya incident explained as VAR saves Gunners

Referee (REF): Chris Kavanagh 

Assistant Referee 1 (AR1): Dan Cook

VAR: Darren England 

Assistant VAR (AVAR): Akil Howson

RO: Hawk-Eye replay operator

When the on-field team is able to hear the VAR discussion, the text is shown in bold.

VAR: Possible foul on keeper.

VAR: Watch has gone.

AVAR: Goal given.

AR1: I don’t see any foul on the goalkeeper.

REF: On-field decision is goal.

VAR: Checking the on-field decision of goal.

VAR: OK, let’s play it through, let’s play it through. Let’s just get a feel now.

VAR: So, the keeper there…

VAR: Then it’s just a shot. So, it’s literally just a possible foul on Raya, what I’m seeing in terms of that.

AVAR: Yeah, and to make sure he doesn’t have it in his hand.

VAR: OK, let’s get a tighter angle on the goalkeeper please.

VAR: On the Arsenal goalkeeper.

RO: Yeah.

VAR: This one. Slow it down, frame by frame.

VAR: For me, there is a foul. Potential foul with the arm.

VAR: His hand is holding his arm down. That’s impactful, for me.

VAR: The left arm there, is holding, is across the body.

VAR: He’s across the head and he’s holding the left arm of Raya, there.

VAR: Which impedes his ability to get to the ball properly.

VAR: Doesn’t look that impactful from that angle.

RO: I’ve got a pole-cam angle.

VAR: Give us pole-cam.

AVAR: It’s like, Raya…

AVAR: Because that contact we’ve got there, we’ve got…

VAR: Just keep delaying. Just checking possible foul on the goalkeeper.

AVAR: You’ve got that straight behind him as well, look.

VAR: Yeah.

RO: I’ll go back to the original angle.

VAR: Yeah.

VAR: But this happens before.

RO: Do you want to see it at full speed?

VAR: Yes please.

VAR: Is it impactful on the goalkeeper that, for me.

VAR: Go back to the second angle you showed me, the second angle.

RO: No problem, just going to look now.

AVAR: Can you do a split screen on both of them as well?

VAR: This one here, this one. Yeah, give us a split screen. That one and then the first angle.

RO: OK, goalline?

VAR: No, sorry, this one and this one, thank you.

AVAR: I don’t like Trossard not facing the ball and you’ve got…

AVAR: I agree, it’s impactful, it’s just everything else that’s going on as well.

AVAR: Let’s say we’re saying that’s a foul, then what are we saying about Trossard’s actions on the same player?

AVAR: What are we saying about Declan Rice behind?

VAR: Yeah.

VAR: He still gets a hand to the ball, doesn’t he? When he’s getting to the ball.

AVAR: What’s your initial opinion as you watched it?

VAR: I think, for me, we send him for an on-field review to look at the possible foul on the goalkeeper.

VAR: And then we get him to look at the other incidents as well. I think that’s the best decision in terms of this.

VAR: OK.

VAR: Chris (Chris Kavanagh – REF), I’m going to recommend an on-field review for a possible foul on the goalkeeper but there are some other incidents to look at while you’re at the monitor as well.

REF: OK.

VAR: So, I’m going to show you a possible foul on the goalkeeper.

RO: This angle?

REF: OK.

VAR: The left arm of Pablo comes across Raya and holds on to the left arm of Raya as he goes to win the ball.

REF: Yeah.

VAR: I’m showing you that now.

REF: I can see the clear holding on him across.

VAR: Yeah, but then I’m just going to show you some, obviously, other angles on that incident, of players.

REF: OK.

AVAR: You’ve got Declan Rice and you’ve got Trossard.

REF: I don’t know what you’re trying to show me, give me a clue.

VAR: Trossard on Pablo. Just if you look at Trossard on Pablo. Give me a better angle on that.

VAR: I’ll get you a better angle.

REF: I don’t think there’s much in that at all, I’m happy with that.

VAR: Yeah, OK.

REF: That’s nothing.

VAR: And then if you just want to consider the actions of Declan Rice on Mavropanos at the back.

VAR: But the foul happens on the goalkeeper before.

REF: Before it, so… After review, West Ham number…

VAR: 19.

REF: 19. Foul.

REF: Just confirm his number again for me.

VAR: 19.

VAR: Yeah, confirmed.

REF: Mic open.

REF: After review, West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free-kick.

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Breaking News: Defiant Florentino Pérez Holds Explosive Press Conference Amid Resignation Calls

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has vowed not to step down despite mounting pressure following the club’s worst season in recent history. Speaking at a fiery press conference on Tuesday, Pérez dismissed speculation about his health, accused referees of bias, and announced that he will call new elections at the club.

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Florentino Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has vowed not to step down despite mounting pressure following the club’s worst season in recent history. Speaking at a fiery press conference on Tuesday, Pérez dismissed speculation about his health, accused referees of bias, and announced that he will call new elections at the club.

Real Madrid ended the 2025–26 campaign without winning a major trophy. The club was eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals, lost LaLiga to arch-rivals Barcelona, and failed to secure domestic silverware. The disappointing season has fueled calls for Pérez to resign after more than two decades at the helm.

In a defiant tone, Pérez declared:

“I am NOT resigning. I am calling for new elections at the club. There are campaigns against me. But I’m still here, and I’m the president. People said I have cancer; this is all MADE UP.”

He emphasized his record, noting that under his leadership, Real Madrid has won 37 titles, including 7 Champions League trophies and 7 LaLiga titles, while insisting he should have won more but was “robbed” by refereeing decisions.

Pérez accused referees of favoring opponents and claimed Real Madrid lost 18 points in LaLiga due to biased officiating. He announced the club will submit a dossier to UEFA highlighting these grievances and referenced the ongoing Negreira case, a corruption scandal involving payments to referees linked to Barcelona.

“We are going to submit a dossier to UEFA so that they put an END to the case. The Negreira scandal is still causing repercussions,” Pérez said, aiming a direct dig at Barcelona.

The president also addressed leaks from within the club, criticizing those who spread internal disputes to the media. He defended players like Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, saying the leaks were more damaging than the incidents themselves.

“The enemies inside the club who leak things? Leave them to me, I take care of them… TRUST ME,” Pérez warned.

Shortly after the press conference, FC Barcelona issued a statement:


“Regarding the press conference called by the president of Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, we inform you that our legal department is carefully studying his statements and accusations.”

Pérez confirmed he will not resign but will instead call elections, allowing Real Madrid’s members (socios) to decide his future. He insisted:


“Florentino is NOT going anywhere until the socios decide he has to.”

The announcement sets the stage for a dramatic showdown within the club as Real Madrid attempts to rebuild after a disastrous season, while tensions with Barcelona continue to escalate.

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Scott Injects US$200,000 Into NASH Tournament Revival

Harare – Businessman and philanthropist Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya has partnered with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to revive the National Association of School Heads (NASH) tournament, a traditional schools’ sporting competition aimed at nurturing grassroots talent.

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Tonderai Sakupwanya and Torerayi Moyo

Harare – Businessman and philanthropist Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya has partnered with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to revive the National Association of School Heads (NASH) tournament, a traditional schools’ sporting competition aimed at nurturing grassroots talent.

Through his company, Betterbrands, Sakupwanya pledged US$200,000 towards the initiative. The sponsorship was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Betterbrands and the ministry, marking a significant step in promoting sport through education.

Scottland FC board chairman and Betterbrands Chief Operations Officer, Tonderai “Pound” Sakupwanya, represented the company at the signing ceremony, while Minister Torerayi Moyo signed on behalf of the ministry.

Betterbrands CEO Tonderai Sakupwanya and Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Torerayi Moyo sign a memorandum of understanding for the National Association of School Heads (NASH) tournament.
Betterbrands CEO Tonderai Sakupwanya and Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Torerayi Moyo sign a memorandum of understanding for the National Association of School Heads (NASH) tournament.

Announcing the partnership, Scottland FC celebrated the development on its official platforms, stating:

“NASH Tournament is back. Scottland FC congratulates club president, Honourable Pedzai ‘Scott’ Sakupwanya, through Betterbrands, for their partnership with the National Association of School Heads under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.”

Tonderai Sakupwanya emphasized that the sponsorship reflects Betterbrands’ commitment to developing young sporting talent and ensuring schools remain a vital pipeline for future athletes.

The revival of the NASH tournament is expected to re-energize schools sport across Zimbabwe, providing opportunities for learners to showcase and grow their abilities.

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