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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
MKHUPHALI Masuku could bounce back to the senior national team set-up, should Zifa accede to coach Callisto Pasuwa’s recommendation to have the Harare City assistant coach re-engaged as his deputy.

The Warriors’ assistant coach’s job has been vacant since March following suspension of Nation Dube on allegations of match fixing. Dube is alleged to be part of a cartel that was planning to fix Zimbabwe’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Swaziland.

Pasuwa went on to play Swaziland, drawing the first leg in Mbabane 1-1 before winning the return leg 4-0 in Harare.

A number of coaches including Bulawayo City’s Philani Ncube, Mandla Mpofu who is the Young Warriors’ assistant and national Under-20 coach Jairos Tapera were tipped to assist Pasuwa.

With Zimbabwe left with decisive Afcon matches against Malawi and Guinea, Pasuwa revealed that he has suggested that Masuku be his assistant so that he helps him in the Warriors’ demanding games.

In 2011 Masuku was Norman Mapeza’s assistant and the two led Zimbabwe to the CECAFA tournament in Tanzania.

Masuku also worked with Pasuwa as assistants to Ian Gorowa and were together at the 2014 edition of the African Nations Championship (Chan) finals that were held in South Africa.

Pasuwa remained in charge of the Warriors following Gorowa’s sacking and the former Dynamos gaffer brought in Dube and Border Strikers’ Saul Chaminuka as his assistants.

Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the executive committee is expected to announce the assistant coach before the Warriors report for camp on Sunday.

“The coach mentioned during a press conference that he recommended to the board that he wishes to work with Mkhuphali Masuku as his assistant. However, a decision is yet to be made, but the board is likely to announce the name of the assistant coach by weekend,” said Gwesela.

Zifa are likely to give in to Pasuwa’s demands as they don’t want to be seen as saboteurs.

The Warriors are at the top of their group with eight points, three ahead of Swaziland and Guinea after four matches. A victory against Malawi will take their tally to 11 and should Guinea draw with Swaziland, the Warriors will be through to the 2017 Afcon finals to be held in Gabon.

In the event that Guinea win their Swaziland tie and the Warriors beat Malawi, Zimbabwe will need a draw against Guinea in the last game to book their place in next year’s continental finals.