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Mapeza was suspended from the Warriors bench for his involvement in the Asiagate scandal and Zifa roped in FC Platinum coach Gumbo in an acting capacity ahead of the Nations Cup first round first leg qualifier against Burundi which the Warriors lost 2-1.
The second leg match is set for 17 June.
However before the Burundi return leg, the road to Brazil would have started with a home match against Guinea on 3 June before a trip to Mozambique the following weekend in what will turn out to be a hectic month for the Warriors.
Zimbabwe were drawn in Group G of the World Cup qualifiers with Egypt and Gumbo, his lieutenants David Mandigora and Peter Ndlovu have the mammoth task of making sure the nation gets the better of Egypt and Guinea.
Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze yesterday said a special Zifa board meeting held last week resolved that Gumbo be given full responsibility of the national team while substantive appointments are still being finalised. Gumbo is likely to be given the job.
“Rahman will be in charge of the entire campaign for all the tournaments that are lined up.
“The 2013 Nations Cup and the World Cup campaign including the 2012 edition of the Cosafa Senior Men Challenge,” said Mashingaidze.
He said while it was common knowledge that Mapeza was suspended over the Asiagate scandal, he was now facing charges of indiscipline.
“Mapeza was officially employed by Zifa in 2010 but has not been reporting for duty at the office and as such faces insubordination charges. We are a serious organisation where people cannot be seen to be doing what they want. He will therefore be dealt with accordingly by his employers, regardless of the outcome of the Asiagate investigation,” said Mashingaidze.
In giving the FC Platinum coach the nod, Zifa are trying to run away from the 2012 Nations Cup campaign mistake whereby three coaches were tasked to lead the Warriors inside a month.
First it was Belgian Tom Saintfiet before he was deported for working illegally, then came in Madinda Ndlovu and Mapeza who were appointed joint coaches before Zifa eventually settled for Mapeza.
Gumbo’s club employers, however said Zifa were yet to inform them of the new developments and hence could not comment.
“All we know is that Gumbo was with Zifa on a temporary basis so if there are any new developments we are yet to be informed,” said FC Platinum boss Tadson Zhou.
Meanwhile, the 2012 edition of the Cosafa Senior Men Challenge will now be held from 21 July to 4 August in Malawi instead of next month.
“We received communication from Cosafa this week confirming the new dates and as Zifa we will engage the Premier Soccer League as early as possible to see how best we can work around the situation so that we do not disrupt the local league,” said Mashingaidze.
Zimbabwe is likely to play Botswana in an international friendly before the start of the next international campaigns, according to the Zifa chief executive officer.
He said they will wait for Gumbo and company to identify the players for the campaigns before accepting the Batswana’s invitation.
With players like Ovidy Karuru, Khama Billiat and Milton Ncube having been cleared by the Justice Ebrahim Ethics Committee of any wrong doing in the Asiagate scandal, Gumbo will have a large selection base unlike on his first match in charge against Burundi.
Online Reporter