Fans speak on Chidzambwa resignation

FOOTBALL fans in Mutare have welcomed the resignation of Warriors head coach Sunday  ‘Mhofu' Chidzambga after a poor show at the just ended Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in Egypt.

Chidzambga announced his resignation on Wednesday. The former Dynamos mentor, who has had several spells as national team coach, has been at the helm since December 2017. He secured Zimbabwe's qualification for the Africa Cup of  Nations finals, but Zimbabwe failed to get out of the groups after defeats to hosts Egypt (1-0) and the DRC (4-0). Zimbabwe managed just a point against Uganda.

Zifa was quick to name Rahman Gumbo as interim coach to take charge of Warriors Chan encounter.

In a statement posted on ZIFA's website, Gumbo will be assisted by Lloyd Mutasa.

"In the interim, Rahman Gumbo assisted by Lloyd Mutasa will lead the technical team for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) assignment against Mauritius," the statement reads in part.

Gumbo and Mutasa worked as assistants during Chidzambga's tenure.

Fans who spoke to Post Sport said Mhofu's departure was long overdue as he had let the country down.

"It was long overdue. The team performed poorly but for him to  resign two days after naming the provisional squad for the CHAN qualifier against Mauritius makes no sense at all. He should have resigned while he was in Egypt and given his successor an opportunity to name the players he wants to work with. He is a failure. He should not have named the CHAN squad if he knew he was going to resign," said  Tafadzwa Moyo.

Norman Chanakira of Chikanga echoed the same sentiments.

"I welcome his resignation. I feel the guy sold that last game in Egypt.  It is good for him, he has made a wise decision," he said.

"At least he has relieved himself from unnecessary pressure. Why hold on when the results are not coming. We will not even miss him," said Tendai Chemwaita.

Marlene Takaidza said: "Sunday must go home and rest. What do we expect from a 67- year old man? Warriors did not do well under his tutelage. He is too old to coach. Football is dynamic. Zifa must give opportunities to young coaches like Norman Mapeza."

Admire Mahachi said Chidzambga is a failure.

"Chidzambga has  failed us as a nation. We were so happy thinking that our Warriors were going to pass the group stages but he failed. He failed to assemble a good team and yet he had good players," he said.

However, there are some fans who sympathise with the 67- year-old former Zimbabwe international.

"We really needed Chidzambga. He should have continued canoeing the boat especially at this critical moment when he had selected the CHAN squad. It will bring the whole campaign into disarray. It will be very difficult for the interim coach to come and inherit someone' else team selection. He was a very good coach. Let us forget about AFCON  because those things happen in football," said Tendai Jonasi.

Tenax FC goalkeepers' coach Eddy Jewu believes Chidzambga had done well and should have been given a chance to continue.

"The coach has tried his level best over the years, failing to survive group stage each time Zimbabwe qualified  for  AFCON when he was in the driving seat. When it comes to coaching trying is not good enough, you have to do it(results). The old school approach has been his weakness which couldn't yield good results and performance. But kudos to the old man for work done so far given the pathetic welfare of players, unfriendly football environment and bad administration. I feel sorry for our national team coaches," he said.

"The players failed to make any impact on their own. He was not supposed to have resigned, he just bowed down to pressure. We will miss him," said Matipa Banda