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Eddie Chikamhi, Senior Sports Reporter
GERMAN expatriate coach Michael Nees yesterday declared he has the stamina to lead the Warriors to major football tournaments following his appointment to the hot seat by the ZIFA Normalisation Committee.
The 57-year-old is expected to assume the reins as soon as his work permit has been secured.
He will need to start preparing the team for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled to start in September.
Nees, whose package will be catered for by FIFA, is also tasked with resuscitating the Warriors’ faltering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Zimbabwe anchor Group C standings with just two points at the halfway stage of the qualification marathon.
Nees said via a statement issued by ZIFA yesterday that he was confident of turning around the Warriors’ fortunes.
“I am a modern and innovative coach who is driven by international challenges and who can think outside the box to gain a competitive advantage,” Nees said.
“Without a doubt, the Warriors always have great players and massive team potential, but they need to avoid being too predictable to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and the African Cup of Nations.
“I am confident in achieving these goals because I have the expertise to professionally enhance all major factors of performance and to make a difference within a short period.
“I will guide the national team with dedication and professionalism, and work to achieve a winning Zimbabwe that can make the nation proud,” he said.
Nees becomes the first substantive coach for Zimbabwe in almost two years.
The Warrior’s job has been vacant since 2022 when ZIFA parted ways with Croatian Zdravko Logarusic.
Coaches have been appointed on ad hoc basis since then with the likes of Joey Antipas, Norman Mapeza, Sunday Chidzambwa, Jairos Tapera, and Brazilian Baltemar Brito taking turns to lead the side in the last two years.
The Warriors job attracted so much interest and ZIFA claimed they had received 200 applications.
ZIFA, who had put the coach selection process on hold more than twice, then whittled down the list of applications to just five.
Nees emerged as the overall best from that final short-list of five foreign coaches which also included Spaniard Gerard Nus, Brazilian Marcio Maximo Barcellos, and fellow Germans — Winfried Schäfer and Antoine Hey.
Schäfer (74), who won the AFCON title with Cameroon back in 2002 had been touted as the favourite, but after two rounds of interviews conducted by a panel that included experts from ZIFA, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, the Normalisation Committee settled for his compatriot Nees.
In contrast, Nees has less experience with African football.
The 57-year-old German has five African games under his belt that came out of coaching Seychelles for three matches from February 2003 to June 2004.
He also had a brief stint with Rwanda, leading them in two games between July and June 2007.
His qualifications include a UEFA Pro Licence from Germany and an M.A. degree in Sports Science, Performance Physiology, and Ethnology from the University of Heidelberg.
ZIFA, however, defended their choice arguing that Nees has a distinguished background that enables him to fit the bill.
“Michael Nees brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished background to the role.
“He holds a UEFA Pro Licence from Germany and an M.A. degree in Sports Science, Performance Physiology, and Ethnology from the prestigious University of Heidelberg.
“Additionally, he has acquired a coaching qualification in “Life Kinetik,” a unique training methodology introduced to foot-ball by former Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp.
“Over the past 25 years, Michael Nees has held elite coaching and technical leadership positions across CAF, UEFA, and AFC. He has guided various national teams in over 200 international matches.
“Notably, in 2005 and 2006, he was part of the support staff for the England national team during the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany, under the auspices of FIFA.
“Michael Nees’s extensive experience includes serving as the head coach of the Rwanda senior men’s national team and the Director of Coaching and Education at the South African Football Association.
“His deep knowledge of the African football landscape and his innovative approach are expected to provide a significant advantage in the upcoming AFCON qualification campaign,” ZIFA said.
Zimbabwe are hoping to qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals to be held in Morocco after missing the previous edition in Cote d’Ivoire, due to FIFA suspension.
The Warriors are in Group J of the AFCON qualifiers where they are set to face five-time champions Cameroon, Kenya, and Namibia.
The marathon qualifiers will begin in September and end in November.
But Nees will have mountains to climb in the quest for the 2026 World Cup qualification as the Warriors sit at the bottom of the Group C log table after drawing with Rwanda and Nigeria and losing to Lesotho and South Africa.
However, ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairman Lincoln Mutasa said the association was confident of the Warriors prospects under the German coach.
“ZIFA is confident that Michael Nees’s appointment will usher in a new era of success for the Warriors. His vast experience, combined with his innovative coaching style, makes him the ideal candidate to lead our national team to new heights,” said Mutasa.
Former Warriors player Alois Bunjira also backed the appointment of Nees, who he believes could get his breakthrough moment with the Warriors.
“I want to stay positive and believe this Zimbabwean gig is the break he has been waiting for, especially with the nice mix of young and experienced talented players Zimbabwe has got.
“The professionalism with which the Germans handle their work is very attractive to me. It could rub off on the rest of us.
“I give a thumbs up to the appointment of Nees and I sincerely hope he turns the fortunes of Zimbabwe football around, not just as the Warriors coach, but hopefully he will influence the type of football we play in Zimbabwe across all age groups and the whole of Zimbabwe.
“I wouldn’t mind the German type of football in Zimbabwe. It suits Zimbabwean footballers who have mostly the same stature as German footballers,” said Bunjira.
Popular Warriors cheerleader Chris Romario Musekiwa said Nees needs support from all stakeholders.
“We don’t know much about him, so the best we can do is to support him and see what he can deliver,” said Musekiwa.
Another staunch supporter Adomsi Mukwasi welcomed the appointment of the German coach.
“I think this is a good move and they must give him a clear mandate in his contract with a system that has a vision for the 2030 World Cup.
“He must be allowed to work on a long-term project with coaches who specialise with the Under-15s, Under-17s, and Under-23 players who we hope will have something to offer for 2030.
“As it is, there is not much hope left for the 2026 World Cup so we should not look much into the present results,” said Mukwasi.
Online Reporter