Former Chippa United head coach Norman Mapeza is set to be appointed caretaker coach for Zimbabwe’s national football team ahead of the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers next month.
Mapeza takes over from Croat Zdravko “Loga” Logarusic, who was sacked after a run of poor results.
Former Jomo Cosmos striker Benjani Mwaruwari was also sacked just over two weeks after his appointment as Zimbabwe’s assistant coach of the football national team.
The duo’s dismissal has paved the way for the return of Mapeza, who has agreed a short-term contract that will see him completing the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Mapeza is the coach of Zimbabwean side FC Platinum.
Last season, Mapeza had a stint with Chippa United. He, however, left the coaching job at the Port Elizabeth side towards the end of the campaign.
The 49-year-old had also been in talks for the head coach position at Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) (now Marumo Gallants), but he decided against joining the club at the 11th hour citing “unworkable conditions at the club”.
Gibson Mahachi, who manages Mapeza’s affairs, on Wednesday told The Bulrushes that his client had agreed to take charge of the Zimbabwe national side.
Mapeza has been tasked with salvaging the Warriors’ faltering 2022 World Cup campaign.
“Yes, I can confirm that we have agreed he (Mapeza) will be in charge for the next three months,” said Mahachi.
“His club had given us the green light and he is coming in because there is a crisis. He has also named his assistants.”
Mapeza will be assisted by Taurai Mangwiro and Mandla Mpofu.
Former Warriors goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro, who played for several clubs in South Africa, comes in as goalkeepers’ coach.
The former Galatasaray player, Mapeza, will be making his third stint as the Warriors’ coach.
In 2010 he was appointed the national team coach.
Eight years on – and a few coaches later – Mapeza was appointed on an interim basis to coach the Warriors.
As an interim national team coach, Mapeza led the Warriors in their 3-0 victory over Liberia, which set the foundation for the team’s qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament hosted by Egypt.
This time around, Mapeza faces a tough task.
The Warriors are bottom of group G with just one point from their draw against South Africa at home before losing away to minnows, Ethiopia.
Mapeza will begin his latest tenure with tough back-to-back fixtures against West African giants Ghana next month.
Zimbabwe will then conclude their campaign with fixtures against Ethiopia at home and South Africa away.
