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Petros Kausiyo
ZIMBABWE’S Warriors are set to have a new gaffer by the weekend amid revelations that Zifa have shortlisted four candidates for the senior soccer team.
The Warriors who have been struggling in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers are expected to bounce back into action in September when they begin their bid for a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
They are, however still without a substantive coach, a year after Fifa appointed a Normalisation Committee led by Lincoln Mutasa to run the affairs of the association.
Manica Diamonds mentor Jairos Tapera was the last man to take charge of the Warriors on an interim basis, when he presided over two World Cup qualifiers and the 2024 Cosafa Cup, albeit without success in both competitions.
Tapera, will, however, not have his tenure extended beyond that Cosafa Cup mission in Port Elizabeth and is expected to now fully focus his attention on trying to get the Gem Boys to win their maiden Castle Lager Premier Soccer championship title.
Zifa technical director Jethro “Chemi’’ Hunidzarira revealed yesterday that the association is looking at giving the new coach a two-year deal in charge of the Warriors dressing room.
Hunidzarira said although they had narrowed the list to four, Zifa had received 200 applications with 181 of them coming within the timelines they had set for CVs to be submitted.
He noted that the Warriors Nations Cup preparations largely hinged on the coach being in office as he would also be responsible for the selection of players, which requires adequate notification to their respective clubs in various leagues across the globe.
“The issue of young players should not be looked at from an age point of view only but the capability of the player.’’
Hunidzarira also warned against any further delays in Zifa concluding the coach’s appointment.
“The late engagement of the coach has a negative ripple effect on the preparations.
“Player selection, bookings of flights, hotels and training grounds will be done late and expensively too.
“What I would like to see being done better is the selection of coaches and players on merit only.
“This will help to banish the ugly and rearing head of brigades of players.’’
Hunidzarira could, however, not be drawn into disclosing who the short-listed candidates are.
It has however, emerged that Zifa have engaged Caf experts to lead in the interviewing of the shortlisted candidates.
Sources, however, hinted on a strong possibility of Zifa handing the reigns to a German coach.
While the Normalisation Committee look to end the long wait in appointing a substantive coach, they have commendably resumed efforts to capacitate local coaches with a coach educator course being staged at the Zifa Village in Mt Hampden.
The course, for which Zifa coach education officer Joseph, former technical director Wilson Mutekede and ex-Young Warriors coach Tafadzwa Mashiri, are the facilitators, began on Wednesday and will end tomorrow.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) is pleased to announce the commencement of a Coach Educators Refresher Course, at ZIFA Village, Mt Hampden, Harare,’’ ZIFA said in statement.
“This course is a vital step in our ongoing commitment to enhance the quality of football coaching across the nation. The primary objectives of this course are to review and reflect on best practices as coach educators, to understand the dynamics of influencing coaches’ learning and development, and to enhance our knowledge of teaching and learning concepts.
“By doing so, we aim to equip our coach educators with the necessary tools to help others identify their performance gaps and create their development plans.
“The ultimate goal is to prepare our coach educators to effectively roll out coaching courses in all provinces, ensuring a standardised and high-quality coaching education throughout Zimbabwe. The course is being facilitated by Dr Joseph Sibindi, in collaboration with coach educators Tafadzwa Mashiri and Wilson Mutekede.
“Their combined expertise and experience will provide invaluable insights and guidance to all participants.’’
Crucially, Zifa also clarified on the confusion that had been caused by a parallel coach educator course that is being run by Francis Zimunya’s Zim Football Stakeholders Forum, who have apportioned themselves the mandate to hold programmes in selected areas in the country’s districts and provinces.
“Zifa as the custodian of Zimbabwean football, remains the only mandated body responsible for all football activities within the country.
“This encompasses recognised coach education courses, football competitions, and various development programmes. Our dedication to the advancement of football in Zimbabwe is unwavering, and this refresher course is a testament to our commitment to excellence,’’ ZIFA said.
Online Reporter