Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Newcastle United and Ghana coach Chris Hughton is among more than 200 applicants vying for the Warriors job.
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 AFCON 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 pool of applicants.
The position fell vacant after German coach Michael Nees was sacked following a poor run in the World Cup qualifiers. A
lthough Nees guided Zimbabwe to next month’s AFCON finals in Morocco, the Warriors’ failure to win a single World Cup 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.
Mathew Masinge