THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) says vice captain Marshall Munetsi was excluded from the Warriors’ squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco for medical and regulatory reasons.
The association claims it was in constant communication with Munetsi’s club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, regarding the midfielder’s fitness ahead of the CAF squad submission deadline.
According to the statement, Wolves confirmed Munetsi was nursing an injury at the time final squad decisions were made.
Under the FIFA Club Protection Programme, players with existing injuries at the start of international duty do not automatically qualify for insurance coverage unless specific procedural conditions — including formal medical clearances and risk mitigation documentation — are submitted ahead of deadlines.
ZIFA says it requested a written consent letter and liability waiver from Wolverhampton to include Munetsi, but these mandatory documents were not received before the CAF deadline.
Without them, the association added, including the player would have exposed all parties to uninsured risk and violated both FIFA and CAF regulations.
“In the absence of these clearances, we could not lawfully, responsibly or ethically include Mr Munetsi in the final squad,” the statement read.
The association said throughout the process, the head coach maintained direct communication with Munetsi, keeping him informed of developments and ensuring transparency.
ZIFA reiterated that the final squad included only players who were fully fit, medically cleared and insured.
ZIFA also applauded Munetsi for his service to the Warriors over many years, noting his professionalism and leadership.
The statement went further to exonerate its staff, specifically mentioning Mr Kudzai Chitima, who have faced personal abuse on social media over his perceived role in making the decisions.
The secretariat officials, ZIFA said, does not make technical squad selections.
Munetsi’s ommission from the AFCON squad has sparked debate both at home and abroad.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who plies his trade with English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, has publicly expressed disappointment at being left out. – Herald
