Gumbo welcomes Zifa move

only one match in Burundi last month, which the Warriors lost 1-2.
But the Zifa board have already agreed to extend Gumbo’s tenure for the return leg of that Nations Cup qualifier against Burundi and the first two matches of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
That appointment will be ratified at the Zifa board’s meeting in Harare at the end of this month.
Warriors’ coach, Norman Mapeza, suspended alongside about 100 of his players as part of the Zifa investigations into the Asiagate match-fixing scandal, is unlikely to return even if he clears his name.
Sources told The Herald last week that Mapeza, who had a three-year contract with Zifa, will be charged for bringing the name of the association into disrepute, through some of his recent media comments, and alleged insubordination.
Allegations of insubordination stem from Zifa’s charges that Mapeza did not report daily for duty at his offices at Zifa House, during his term as Warriors’coach, as demanded by his employers.
Mapeza has never been a favourite with the Zifa board members and once lost a board vote, to choose who should lead the team between him and Madinda Ndlovu, 2-9. Former Warriors’ team manager, Sharif Mussa, who was surprisingly swept away during the suspensions even though his name does not feature in Asiagate, is certain to bounce back.
Zifa president Cuthbert Dube told The Chronicle last week that removing Mussa, who was pushed out when the association’s boss was at the 2012 Nations Cup finals, was a huge mistake.
There was chaos in the Warriors, ahead of their game against Burundi with travel arrangements for the players in disarray, as the new management team failed to cope with the task. Nyika Chifamba, who had been appointed caretaker team manager, is now set to be axed while Gumbo will be given an extended term.
Gumbo said he was humbled by Zifa’s vote of confidence.
“I am very happy with the appointment and Zifa have done a very good thing because there is going to be continuiuty,” said the FC Platinum coach.
“It was going to be a problem if they had appointed another coach.
I am now going to juggle around with the planning and come up with something good.
“I am happy that all foreign-based players will be off-season and we are not going to face challenges in our travel arrangements like in the previous game.
“All the players will be around and we can have more time to look at them.
“The Asiagate case will be over as well and I will be in a position to know the fate of the players, who were suspended, whether they will now be eligible for selection.
Gumbo said the Warriors had the capacity to overturn the first leg deficit.
“I am very happy to be playing at home before our own fans and at our stadium,” said Gumbo.
“When you are playing in a foreign land you will be fighting against a lot of things.
“You will be away with no fans on your side but this time the crowd will be supporting us and we have a lot of advantages and I am already looking forward to the game which will bring a positive result.”