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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 81572, member: 636"] The head of the national football team wants a total ground-up rebuild of the local sports structure following a premature exit from a major continental tournament. Marian Marinica, the lead tactician for the Warriors, believes the domestic setup in Zimbabwe needs to evolve from the youth levels through to the Premier Soccer League to prepare athletes for the intensity of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This push for reform comes after the squad failed to move past the group stage for the sixth time, following a string of disappointing results in Marrakech against regional rivals. The coach pointed to the success of neighboring South Africa, where locally based players regularly compete in the CAF Champions League, as the specific blueprint the nation needs to follow to stop being a simple exporter of raw talent. The frustration surrounding the current campaign stems from how narrowly the team missed the knockout rounds. A simple draw against Bafana Bafana in the final pool match would have secured a spot in the round of sixteen with only two points, yet the squad could not hold onto a level scoreline. The manager argued that the domestic league must start attracting players from other competitions to raise the overall standard of play and make the national team more competitive. He suggests that if local clubs can start challenging for major trophies, the players will naturally be better prepared for the physical and mental demands of international fixtures. This call for a massive overhaul includes a shift in how the country views its role in the global market. Instead of just sending young prospects abroad, the coach wants the league to become an importing destination that can sustain a high level of performance. This strategy aims to build a foundation that supports the national team during high-stakes events rather than relying on a few individuals playing in foreign leagues. The vision involves creating a domestic environment where every match pushes athletes toward the standard required for the upcoming qualifiers scheduled for the third month of the year. The timeline for these changes is incredibly tight, as the road toward the 2027 tournament begins very soon. The coaching staff remains confident that the governing body understands the necessary steps to fix the broken system and set the program on a more successful path. While the recent losses to Egypt and South Africa hurt the pride of the fans, the focus has already shifted to identifying the groundwork needed for a sustainable future. Rebuilding the football identity of the nation requires immediate action within the local leagues to ensure the next generation does not suffer the same fate. [/QUOTE]

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