Mapeza bounces back
NORMAN MAPEZA has bounced back as the caretaker Warriors coach and will be in charge when a team made up of mainly home- based players host Zambia in an international friendly at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The former Zimbabwe captain coached the national side during the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers before he was banned from the game by ZIFA for his alleged involvement in the Asiagate match- fixing scam.
Mapeza professed his innocence and claimed he was being targeted by the domestic football leadership.
He is expected to announce the squad that will face Zambia this afternoon.
ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa said they want the coach to cast his net wider so that the country can have a look at some of the players who can make the grade for the national team. If there are any foreign- based players to feature against Zambia they are likely to be from South Africa with Evans Rusike and Tendai Ndoro set to get a call.
“I love Barbourfields Stadium and even if my eyes are closed I will score. I can score even if I am on crutches because it is one stadium I enjoy finding the back of the net.
“I am urging the Highlanders fans to rally behind the team even when the chips are down, but all we need is to bring them the league title at the end of the season and if possible we must also win many other trophies for them.”
CAPS United crushed Dynamos 3-1 in the other semi-final and are flying high after they booked a place in the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
ZIFA had been hoping to also bring in Khama Billiat, but the Mamelodi Sundowns forward is currently battling injury.
“ZIFA have appointed Norman Mapeza as interim coach of the Warriors. Details of the squad and other members of the technical team will be announced tomorrow (today),” said ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela.
The Association vice- president Omega Sibanda said Mapeza will take charge of the Warriors on an ad- hoc basis while he continues with his job at FC Platinum until ZIFA appoint a substantive head coach.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, whom the Warriors face in the 2019 Nations Cup qualifiers, also are led by a coach who also doubles as the gaffer of Kinshasa giants AS Vita.
Florent I benge l ed the DRC to third place at the 2015 AFCON finals and a quarter- final place at the 2017 Nations Cup finals.
He also guided his club to the final of the CAF Champions League in 2014.
Meanwhile, Chiyangwa says ZIFA now have the resources to pay off former Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa.
The Harare businessman told ZBC’s weekly Monday football magazine programme, Game Plan, that Pasuwa, whose contract was not renewed last month, will soon be paid.
Chiyangwa said he had been impressed with the way Pasuwa has conducted himself since the two parties decided to call time on their marriage.
ZIFA were looking at sending him to Europe to boost his qualifications.
The ZIFA boss did not rule out Pasuwa bouncing back as the Warriors coach.