ZIFA Appoints Mapeza As New Warriors Head Coach

Former international Norman Mapeza has been named as caretaker coach of Zimbabwe’s national football team once more.

The Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA) has announced the appointment of a new coach for their senior national men’s team.

ZIFA recently confirmed that they have parted ways with Zdravko Logarusic and they have now brought in former national team player Norman Mapeza as the man to take charge of the Warriors. Zimbabwe collected just one point in their two FIFA World Cup group C qualifiers against South Africa and Ethiopia, which led to their decision of letting of Logarusic, who had a record of just one win in 14 matches.

Mapeza, a former head coach of Chippa United in South Africa, has taken over on an interim basis. The 49-year-old will be in charge until the end of the year on a three-month contract, which will see him doubling with his current club role as head coach of Zimbabwean Premier League outfit FC Platinum.

Mapeza was unveiled on Wednesday, 15 September, and will be assisted by Triangle coach Taurai Mangwiro, Highlanders coach Mandla Mpofu and former national team goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro.

Zimbabwe will play Ghana in back-to-back fixtures of World Cup qualifiers next month before playing Bafana Bafana and Ethiopia in November.

ZIFA still feels they have a chance of progressing to the next round of World Cup qualifiers, but there will be no room for error in the remaining four matches under the new man at the helm.