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Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
MORE than a month after she was selected as the Mighty Warriors coach, SithetheleIwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda is yet to be officially unveiled by ZIFA and now looks to miss a good chance to sit with her technical crew and select the senior women’s soccer squad.
ZIFA concluded interviews for the Mighty Warriors coach early last month, amid reports that the process was riddled with controversy.
The association have since unveiled Michael Nees as the Warriors coach but have remained mum on his women’s counterpart.
Sibanda, currently in charge of Women’s Soccer League side Chapungu Queens had been expected to have assumed duty with ZIFA by now and keeping her eyes on players she could pick for next month’s COSAFA Cup assignment. One such platform for assessing players is the Heart Cup which bursts into life at the Heart Stadium today and will run until Sunday. ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Mapika Manwa was yesterday not at liberty to discuss much about the Mighty Warriors technical set-up, arguing that her office was tying up some loose ends on the incoming coach’s deal.
“We are not in a position to make any announcement about the next Mighty Warriors coach, we are almost done but there are a few things which we need to complete before making the announcement,” said Manwa.
Sources however, told Zimpapers Sports Hub that ZIFA had since submitted their request to Chapungu for the release of the coach and are optimistic that the coach would be granted time off to be with the national team.
While former Zimbabwe international Sibanda is still to assume duties, it has emerged that ZIFA technical director Jethro Hunidzarira will lead in the selection of national team players during the Heart Cup tourney. The Women’s edition of the COSAFA Cup is scheduled for South Africa. Some indications should they fail to land Sibanda ZIFA could recall another former Mighty Warriors coach — Shadreck Mlauzi.
“Sibanda has agreed to take the job but she is still waiting to get the blessings of her bosses at Chapungu. “Mlauzi is likely going to take over should there be any complications or delays from Sibanda since the association is now racing against time to have a coach available ahead of the COSAFA Women’s Cup,” ZIFA sources said.
ZIFA have, however, been slammed for being lethargic in their approach to have a Mighty Warriors coach in place well on time.
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