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Sunday Chidzambwa

Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
Zifa yesterday ended months of speculation on their choice for the substantive coach of the Warriors with the soccer mother body settling for veteran mentor Sunday “Mhofu’’ Chidzambwa.

Chidzambwa who had twice taken charge of the Warriors on a caretaker basis this year was confirmed as the man that Zifa believe should complete their quest for a place at the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

The 65-year-old coach returned to the Warriors dugout in June when he guided the senior team at the Cosafa Castle Cup in Sun City, South Africa, where Zimbabwe won a record fifth title in the regional competition.

It was also a moment of personal glory for the history-making coach as Chidzambwa became the first coach to win three Cosafa Castle Cup titles having first won the tournament in 2003 before returning to claim it in 2009.

Chidzambwa also has a proud record in the Cosafa tournament where he has never lost a game in that competition.

The outgoing ZPC Kariba coach, however, suffered a dent to his national team record when his Warriros were bundled out of the African Nations Championship qualifier at the first round stage by Namibia.

It was the first time since the inception of the Chan tournament  in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009 that Zimbabwe had failed to qualify.

But as they looked to build on the fine start that the Warriors achieved in the 2019 Nations Cup Group G qualifiers under Norman Mapeza, Zifa seem to have been swayed by issues of experience and availability of the local coaches at their disposal.

Yesterday the association revealed in a statement issued by their communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela that they had given Chidzambwa a one-year deal with the mandate being to ensure that the Warriors secure a place at the Nations Cup finals in Cameroon.

Gwesela also spoke of the confidence that Zifa have reposed in the coach to possibly repeat his 2004 feat, when he led the Warriors to their maiden appearance at the Nations Cup in Tunisia.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Sunday Chidzambwa as the substantive Senior Men’s National Team coach with immediate effect, on a one-year performance-based contract.

“The association is confident that the coming in of Chidzambwa, Zimbabwe’s most successful coach, will steer the Warriors towards the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations finals as he has no club football distractions.

“Zifa on its part will endeavour to provide all the necessary support to ensure success for the Warriors.

“Chidzambwa is the first coach to lead Zimbabwe to the Afcon finals in Tunisia in 2004 and he has won the Cosafa Castle Cup a record three times, with the latest coming in 2017.

“At club level, he led Dynamos to the Caf Champions League final in 1998 and he won three league titles with the club in 1994, 1995 and 1997.

“We wish him all the best on his full time return to the Warriors fold,” said Gwesela.