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THE hunt for the next Warriors coach has reached its final stretch, with Zifa shortlisting five experienced tacticians from more than 100 hopefuls eager to take charge of the national team.
The association has been on the lookout for a replacement for German gaffer Michael Nees, who was fired after a disastrous, winless 2026 World Cup qualifying run that left Zimbabwe anchored at the bottom of Group C.
Although Zifa officials are keeping the identities of the frontrunners under wraps, insiders have confirmed that the shortlist is packed with big names boasting serious pedigree on the African scene.
Among them is Englishman Stuart Baxter, the former Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United mentor who also once managed Bafana Bafana. Romanian Marian Mario Marinica, who previously coached Malawi and Liberia, is also in contention.
The race also features Frenchman Patrice Neveu, a seasoned African campaigner who has handled Guinea, Kenya, DR Congo, Haiti, Mauritania, and Gabon. Completing the five-man shortlist are Portuguese coaches Luis Goncalves, formerly with Mozambique, and Antonio Conceicao, who guided Cameroon during AFCON qualifiers.
Sources revealed that several high-profile candidates were interviewed virtually, with Zifa focusing on international experience and proven tactical expertise from both African and European competitions.
The new Warriors coach is expected to be unveiled before the upcoming international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar later this month. Those matches could serve as the new man’s first chance to assess his squad ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
After a string of poor results and growing fan frustration, Zifa says it is prioritising quality this time, demanding that candidates have at least five years’ experience in top CAF competitions such as AFCON, CHAN, the Champions League, Confederation Cup, or COSAFA Cup.
The announcement is expected to end weeks of speculation and social media buzz as fans await the identity of the man tasked with reviving national pride and leading the Warriors back to glory.
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