The Zimbabwe Football Association has stepped in to address swirling reports of unrest inside the national team camp, clarifying that Tawanda Chirewa’s departure was pre-arranged and unrelated to alleged tensions with new Warriors head coach Mario Marinica.
The statement comes after a turbulent 24 hours during which reports suggested that both Chirewa and Tawanda Maswanhise had left camp following a breakdown in relations with the technical team.
The situation was amplified by claims that Marinica had made “disrespectful” comments to players, triggering growing unease inside the squad.
But in a formal communication released on Friday, ZIFA sought to draw a firm line under the speculation.
According to the association, Chirewa left the camp with full permission, and the move had been agreed well before he reported for national duty.
His club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, had requested time to assess him ahead of the upcoming Premier League season under their newly assembled technical staff.
“Midfielder Tawanda Chirewa has been granted permission to leave the national team camp, as had been agreed prior to the player joining the camp,” ZIFA said.
“This development is not a withdrawal, nor does it reflect any dispute or disagreement.”
ZIFA noted that the arrangement was the product of “professional and mutually respectful alignment” between the national team and Wolves a relationship they described as important to both the player’s development and Zimbabwe’s long-term national interests.
The clarification is aimed at cooling speculation that the Warriors’ preparations for upcoming international Friendly and the AFCON were being derailed by internal rifts.
Reports had framed Chirewa’s exit as part of a broader fallout stemming from dissatisfaction with Marinica’s early handling of the squad.
ZIFA did not address Maswanhise’s situation directly in this statement, nor did it comment on the allegations of player-coach tensions. Instead, the association stressed unity as training continues.
“Zimbabwe remains united and focused as preparations for upcoming international assignments intensify,” the statement read.
For now, the federation appears intent on containing the narrative, reinforcing that Chirewa’s temporary absence is club-related and not indicative of broader discord.
Whether this settles the dressing-room mood, or if deeper issues remain beneath the surface, will become clearer as the Warriors continue their build-up to competitive action.
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