Brito divides Zifa

The ZIFA Normalisation Committee members are currently divided over the selection of the Warriors coach, with reports indicating a push to reinstate Baltermar Brito gaining momentum within one faction of the committee.

ZIFA, under Lincoln Mutasa's leadership, has yet to finalize the appointment of a substantive coach for the national team, despite just 16 days remaining before Zimbabwe's return to FIFA World Cup qualifying action. The Warriors are scheduled to resume their Group C qualifying campaign against Lesotho and South Africa.

Mutasa, who recently returned from a FIFA meeting in Thailand, chaired another meeting yesterday to address the coach selection issue. However, ZIFA has refrained from providing media updates on the matter.

Sources suggest that Brito, who reapplied for the coaching position, is emerging as a frontrunner, with over 100 coaches applying for the job. However, there is discord within the committee regarding Brito's candidature, with concerns raised about his blunt assessment reports following the Warriors' matches in Rwanda.

Additionally, there have been discussions about engaging Joey Antipas as an assistant coach if Brito's appointment is opposed. Alternatively, there are considerations for a foreign coach, possibly with Antipas as the assistant.

Former Warriors coach Sunday "Mhofu" Chidzambwa, along with former players Bruce Grobbelaar, Kaitano Tembo, and George Mbwando, had also applied for the position, but none have garnered sufficient support from the Normalisation Committee.

Since the departure of Croatian Zdravko Logarusic in 2021, the Warriors have been without a substantive coach. Interim coaches, including Norman Mapeza, have been appointed for specific tournaments, highlighting the committee's indecisiveness in filling this crucial position.