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Xolisani Gwesela

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA seem to be developing cold feet in confirming assistant national developmental sides’ coaches despite promises to do so early this week.
Following the appointment of head coaches for the national Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 sides, Zifa through their communications manager Xolisani Gwesela had promised to unveil the assistants on Tuesday.

However by yesterday, no appointments had been made.  Gwesela was non-committal, saying ‘the coaches will be announced in due course’.

On Tuesday, Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda distanced himself from the appointments of the junior national team coaches.
“I don’t know anything about that. I only saw it in the papers like everybody else,” said Sibanda.

“I don’t remember being part of the board that approved those appointments, maybe my president Cuthbert Dube knows better.”
Gwesela, when pressed yesterday whether the association was feeling the heat over the apparent boob and was having a change of heart, said the association still stood by its decision and was not reneging.

“There is no change of heart whatsoever, we are going to publish the names in due course,” said the Zifa spokesman.
He did not give reasons as to why there were delays in announcing the assistants.

Sources close to the goings-on at 53 Livingstone Avenue in Harare said Hwange’s Nation Dube and his ZPC (Kariba) counterpart Saul Chaminuka will assist Dynamos’ Callisto Pasuwa in the Under-23 dugout.

The electricity men’s goalkeepers’ coach Tembo Chuma will be in charge of the Olympic squad’s goalkeepers.
According to the list released by Zifa last Friday, FC Platinum Under-20 gaffer Jairos Tapera will be in charge of the Under-20 sides with little-known Tafadzwa Mashiri, who coached Gutu High School in 2012, coming in as the head coach for the Under-17 national team.
Former Kiglon head coach Pearson Matipedza is the new national Under-15 head coach.

James Mahala from the Naph structures will head the Under-13 national team.
Sithethelelwe “Kwinji-15” Sibanda was appointed as head coach of both the Under-20 and Under- 23 women’s national teams while Hwange High School English teacher Evelyn Rimai is the new Under-17 national team boss.