tawandamusarurwa
Sports Editor
DESPITE racing against time, ZIFA’s Normalisation Committee are optimistic the Warriors will not be forced to play their Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) assignments in other countries because of the current local stadium crisis.
The Warriors are expected to end a 19-month absence from international football action when they compete in the CHAN qualifiers on the weekend of September 22-24.
But they have not yet confirmed a home ground they can register with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of the CHAN draw.
The Warriors are also presently without a coach. The Normalisation Committee chairperson, Lincoln Mutasa, however, revealed that the senior national team will play an international friendly against the Zebras on September 30 as part of Botswana’s 57th Independence Day commemorations, commonly known as Boipuso.
Mutasa told The Sunday Mail Sport yesterday that apart from Botswana, they were trying to tie down the Mambas of Mozambique for another sparring match for the Warriors.
He also acknowledged that his committee faces a tough task in trying to ensure the Warriors are adequately prepared for the tougher 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
“The timeline is determined by our desire and need to prepare our team to play on the FIFA September window so that we also start preparing them for the World Cup qualifiers,” he said.
“There is also the October window, but it is not the only FIFA window for internationals. As mentioned, there is a window in September.
“We have contacted a number of countries, but (we) are yet to confirm dates with Mozambique. We have also agreed to play Botswana during their independence celebrations on 30th September.”
He added that the committee had engaged the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to check on progress on the refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium ahead of the Warriors assignments.
They have also earmarked Rufaro and Barbourfields for possible use by the national team.
There are indications from the Harare City Council that Rufaro Stadium could be ready for use early next month.
Mutasa and his committee are hopeful that one of the three venues will be certified fit to host international matches again after having been condemned by CAF inspection teams.
The three venues also failed to meet the grace periods to work on the anomalies CAF had cited.
A delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is due in the country in early September to inspect the National Sports Stadium, Rufaro and Barbourfields.
“The Normalisation Committee has discussed with the SRC on the National Sports Stadium, and we are aware of pending stadium inspections scheduled in coming weeks.
“The inspection will cover Rufaro and Barbourfields.”
Warriors coach
After reportedly receiving overwhelming responses from both local and foreign coaches for the vacant Warriors post, Mutasa said they had identified a technical committee of local and foreign experts to help select the best man for the job.
However, in a move that betrays the mistrust between the Normalisation Committee and the ZIFA secretariat, Mutasa confirmed that technical director Wilson Mutekede has been overlooked in the selection process of the national coaches.
There were expectations that Mutekede, being the expert on technical matters, would play a role or even observe the process on behalf of ZIFA.
There is no love lost between the Normalisation Committee and the ZIFA secretariat, especially the association’s three senior employees — acting chief executive Xolisani Gwesela, national teams’ general manager Wellington Mpandare and Mutekede.
Mutasa’s committee is reportedly working on their own and away from ZIFA headquarters.
“We will have competent people to assist, both local and those beyond our borders, with requisite skills.
“As you may be aware, going forward we will need to improve on confidentiality so that the selected people will not be pressured by different interest groups to appoint so and so.
“We want them to be objective and open-minded, as they get down to this very important task,’’ Mutasa said.
Gwesela, Mpandare and Mutekede have been in the firing line since December 2021 when they allegedly defied an order to “paralyse football” and ensure the Warriors failed to participate at the Africa Cup of Nations.
That plot, which reportedly sucked in FIFA head of development programmes in Africa Solomon Mudege, was aimed at embarrassing the SRC for suspending Felton Kamambo’s board on November 16, 2021.
This has led to the Normalisation Committee overlooking the secretariat, amid revelations of a bid to fire the staff and make fresh appointments.
Away from their friction with the ZIFA secretariat, which has blighted the start of their reform process at the association, Mutasa is happy with the overwhelming responses they got for the national teams’ jobs, which he believes shows the significance attached to the Warriors brand.
“We have received a large number of applications from both our nationals and foreign coaches for all the positions we advertised.
“The enthusiasm and interest have been very high, showing us that many people want to be associated with the brand and recognise the talent and potential in our country,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter