2025 AFCON: Zimbabwe FA explains decision to leave out Marshall Munetsi from final squad

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has addressed the situation surrounding Marshall Munetsi, who was notably absent from the Warriors’ Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Munetsi was left out of the final squad due to an injury expected to sideline him for several weeks.

Wolverhampton Wanderers recently suggested on social media that Munetsi was frustrated about being named in the squad despite his injury.

ZIFA, however, clarified that the decision rested with his Premier League club, not the national team.

Statement by ZIFA below:

Following Mr. Marshall Munetsi’s expressed willingness to represent Zimbabwe despite the injury, ZIFA formally requested a written letter of consent and a liability waiver from his club.

This documentation is a critical prerequisite under the FIFA Club Protection Programme, which governs compensation, insurance exposure, and liability management where professional players, particularly those carrying injuries, are released for international “A” matches.

Mr. Marshall Munetsi was duly advised that the required club consent and liability waiver had not been received and was kept informed of the status of this process. However, by the time the CAF deadline for AFCON squad submission was reached, the mandatory documentation remained outstanding. In the absence of these clearances, ZIFA could not lawfully expose both the Association and the player’s club to uninsured risk and regulatory non-compliance under the FIFA Club Protection Programme.

As a result, the Head Coach was left with no alternative but to proceed with players who were fully fit, medically cleared, insured, and procedurally eligible, in strict adherence to CAF squad submission requirements and FIFA player protection frameworks.