Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA is closing in on naming the next Warriors head coach after shortlisting five experienced tacticians from a pool of more than 100 applicants.
The football association has been searching for a replacement for German coach Michael Nees, who was dismissed following Zimbabwe’s winless 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign that left the Warriors rooted at the bottom of Group C.
While officials have remained tight-lipped about the identities of the frontrunners, sources confirmed that the shortlist features several big names with proven records on the African continent.
Among them is Englishman Stuart Baxter, the man who led Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United to South African league success and also managed Bafana Bafana.
Romanian Marian Mario Marinica, who previously coached Malawi and most recently Liberia, is also in the running.
The list further includes Frenchman Patrice Neveu, a seasoned African campaigner who has handled Guinea, Kenya, DR Congo, Haiti, Mauritania and Gabon.
Portuguese duo Luis Goncalves, formerly with Mozambique, and Antonio Conceicao, who guided Cameroon during the AFCON qualifiers, complete the five-man shortlist.
Sources say several high-profile candidates were interviewed virtually, with ZIFA emphasising international experience and tactical expertise drawn from both African and European competitions.
The new Warriors coach is expected to be unveiled before Zimbabwe’s upcoming international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar during the FIFA international window later this month. Those matches could serve as the new gaffer’s first opportunity to assess his squad ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
For ZIFA, the appointment marks a critical moment after a string of poor results under Nees.
Officials insist they have prioritised quality this time, demanding applicants possess at least five years’ experience in CAF interclub or national competitions such as AFCON, CHAN, Champions League, Confederation Cup, or COSAFA Cup.
The announcement is expected to finally end weeks of speculation and social media debates as fans eagerly await the name of the coach tasked with restoring pride to the Warriors.
After the disappointment of the World Cup qualifiers, the new man’s arrival is set to rekindle belief that Zimbabwe can make a real statement on their sixth AFCON appearance.
