Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
FORMER Newcastle United and Ghana coach Chris Houghton is among more than 200 applicants vying for the Warriors job, as Zimbabwe’s national team post draws massive international interest.
The 66 year old Englishman, who also managed Brighton and Nottingham Forest, headlines a long list of high profile coaches from across the globe keen to take charge of Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in December.
Sources at Zifa revealed that even former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, ex-Warriors goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, and Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet are part of the star studded pool of applicants.
The position fell vacant after German coach Michael Nees was sacked following a poor run in the World Cup qualifiers. Although Nees guided Zimbabwe to next month’s Afcon finals in Morocco, the Warriors’ failure to win a single qualifier, and a goal drought that stretched to four matches, proved costly. They finished bottom of Group C without a victory.
With the application deadline closing yesterday, Zifa’s Technical and Executive Committees will now go through the pile of CVs and draw up a shortlist for interviews.
Despite the strict requirements, the response has been overwhelming. Only coaches with a Caf Pro or Uefa Pro Licence and at least five years’ experience managing national teams in Africa were eligible to apply.
“The standards that have been set are high, and the Warriors remain an attractive brand despite recent results,” Zifa said in a statement yesterday. “We have a large pool of mature players who present an opportunity for an ambitious coach looking to achieve something big.”
Several Zimbabwe internationals are currently playing at top level abroad, among them the Wolves duo of Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa, while left back Jordan Zemura features for Serie A side Udinese. Defender Munashe Garan’anga is playing Uefa Champions League football with Copenhagen, and Teenage Hadebe recently faced Lionel Messi in the MLS.
“Zimbabwe’s participation at the Afcon finals is another chance to make a statement. We’re encouraged by the global interest and the positive image the association now carries under Nqobile Magwizi’s leadership,” added Zifa.
A former Warriors player, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the flood of applications reflects renewed global attention on Zimbabwean football.
“Football is global and people are following what’s happening in Zimbabwe. This level of interest shows the Warriors job is seen as an attractive coaching destination,” he said.
The new Warriors coach will immediately prepare for international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar during the November window before leading the team at the Afcon finals. Zimbabwe will face Egypt, Angola, and South Africa in the group stage as they chase their first ever qualification to the knockout phase, something that has eluded them since their debut in Tunisia in 2004.
derick.khumalo