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Harare Bureau 

Ex-Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs defender, Zhaimu Jambo, has confirmed his desire to become the national Under-17 coach.

The Zifa Normalisation Committee is hunting for a substantive coach for the Under-17s and Jambo revealed he is among those who have submitted their CVs. 

Jambo is currently attached to Kaizer Chiefs where he is championing the development of the team’s Under-15 side.

The 36-year-old was handed his first coaching role by Kaizer Chiefs in 2020 and believes he has proved his capacity to develop youngsters beyond reasonable doubt.

Jambo believes he has the potential to turn around the country’s developmental fortunes if given the mandate.

“It is my biggest wish to contribute to the development of Zimbabwean football. I have acquired a lot of knowledge during my time as a footballer and also as a developmental coach. I have also applied for the Young Warriors job because I feel like I have a lot to offer.

“I’m also interested to learn from those who have more experience in the dugout, I will be happy to be also preferred as an assistant coach. 

“I’m  enjoying everything at Chiefs, they have helped me in many ways to develop myself as a coach.

“I was very privileged to progress through the national team’s junior ranks, I played for the U-17, U-20, U-23, and the senior team.

“This is a plus for me because I know how the system works and what is needed for these youngsters to play top-level football. I just need this opportunity to give back to the country that made it possible for me to become a better person,’’ Jambo told Zimpapers Sports.

Jambo was one of the better players of his generation, but his promising  career ended prematurely after suffering a dreadful knee injury following a horrific clash with countryman, Tinashe Nengomasha during a Telkom Knockout fixture against the now defunct Bidvest Wits in the 2012 campaign.

Like a real Warrior, Jambo tried to fight his way in the 2014/15 season, but that is when he finally made peace  with his fate and called it quits.

The former Gunners skipper also conceded that his lengthy lay-off helped his transition from being a player to a coach.

“That was my darkest hour and I spent like five to six years nursing that injury and that was the same time which I started considering my next best options.

“I had already given myself time to think a lot about my future and that has made this switch seem like a light task.

“I also received support from family and friends. Kaizer Chiefs played a key role in making me realise that all hope was not lost after failing to recover from that horrific injury,’’ he said.

“There should be a way to professionalise Zimbabwe football because that has been the biggest let down.

“We have talent that also needs the support of serious individuals and sponsors who can change the status of our football.

“Our football only lacks sponsorship and I think we are not short of talent,’’ he added.