Because the 'Warriors' of Zimbabwe have failed to qualify for the 2008 African Nations Cup and are bottom of Groupe 12 with a poor total of one point after playing three matches, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZiFA) has dissolved the coaching departments of all its national teams, including the under-23, under-20 and under-17 men's teams. The women's team was recently knocked out of the qualifiers for the 2008 Olympic Games. The U-23, U-20 and U-17 men's teams performances have also proved mediocre.
Despite senior team coach Charles MHLAURI is listed among the technicians who have been fired, Zimbabwe's Vice-President Joseph MSIKA spoke out in his support, a backing that has probably helped him not being completely axed, and that has left a possibility for him to still have a role with the 'Warriors', even though some fans have been calling for his head.
ZiFA chief executive Henrietta RUSHWAYA made things clearer by explaining to BBC Sport that ZiFA would like to appoint a foreign coach for the 'Warriors', but due to the country's poor economic situation this seems rather didfficult. "As we speak now, there is no national team coach at any level. We need a foreign coach, if resources permit it, but we want to be practical, and MHLAURY hasn't been fired, he still has a contract with us.", said RUSHWAYA.
Next month an interim coaching department will be named to take the national team in charge for the last National Cup qualifier of the 'Warriors' in September and probably MHLAURY will be there.
Samuel MBAJUM
(Source: Steve VICKERS, BBC Sport, Harare)
24/06/2007 |
