Mhofu backs Mutasa, Gumbo

Tadious Manyepo, Harare Bureau
SUNDAY Chidzambwa has leapt to the defence of his assistants Lloyd Mutasa and Rahman Gumbo following their recent sackings at their respective clubs last week.

There were some reports which seemed to paint both Mutasa and Gumbo as terrible coaches not worthy of places in the Warriors technical department on the basis that they have been fired at their clubs.

But Chidzambwa believes the duo are worth their salt and will be key in the senior national side’s quest to secure an African Cup of Nations finals berth next year.

With under two weeks before the Warriors plunge into a potentially decisive Group G back-to-back ties against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutasa and Gumbo were sacked by their teams, local giants Dynamos and South Africa’s lower division side Witbank Spurs respectively.

Mutasa was sacrificed for Dynamos’ poor season which has seen the Glamour Boys swimming in the murky waters of relegation.

DeMbare were two points off the drop zone and a dull goalless stalemate against fellow strugglers Bulawayo Chiefs two weeks ago did not help matters and Mutasa was shown the exit 24-hours later.

Incidentally, his Warriors’ co-assistant coach, Gumbo was also booted out at South African National First Division club, Witbank Spurs following a string of poor results.

Gumbo’s side Witbank Spurs had only managed to collect four points after five games in charge of the ambitious Mpumalanga-based side who are third-from-bottom on the log and he was sacked after he had just obtained his South African work permit which would have enabled him to take full charge of the team.

But Chidzambwa has backed his lieutenants and reckons their sacking won’t affect their roles in the senior national team set-up whatsoever.

Chidzambwa also said that it will take the experience of both Gumbo and Mutasa to help him steer the Warriors to their fourth appearance at the biannual continental fiesta.

Zimbabwe play the DRC in Kinshasa on October 13 before hosting the same opponents three days later.

Chidzambwa’s charges are on top of the standings in Group G, courtesy of a superior goal difference as they have the same number of points (four) with DRC.