Zifa decides Nees fate

Under-fire Warriors coach Michael Nees faces an uncertain future after managing just two wins since taking charge of the national team, with ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi revealing that the coach's fate will be decided this week following Zimbabwe's humiliating defeat to Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.

Speaking at the CEO Africa Roundtable in Victoria Falls yesterday, Magwizi confirmed that the ZIFA technical committee, chaired by Tafadzwa Benza, had already begun a comprehensive review of the Warriors' performance amid growing calls from fans for Nees' dismissal.

"I hate losing as well. So as a consequence of that, of course, it's always important, as CEOs, you do measure. Performance management is one of the things that, of course, we have introduced at ZIFA," Magwizi said.

He explained that the committee convened yesterday to assess Nees' performance, examine the team's tactical setup, and identify the underlying causes of the Warriors' poor run in the World Cup qualifiers.

"We have the technical committee, which is chaired by one of my colleagues, Tafadzwa Benza. He's actually chairing a meeting right now (yesterday evening), as I speak, together with all the other members of that committee, doing a performance management process — a review of our performance and, of course, trying to understand what went wrong, where, and why," Magwizi added.

The ZIFA boss said the committee's findings will be presented to the executive committee, which he chairs, before a final decision is made on the German coach's future.

"And of course, that report will be submitted to the executive committee, which I chair, at which point, of course, the findings will be made public," he said.

While acknowledging the anger and frustration among fans following the Warriors' string of disappointing results, Magwizi urged patience, insisting that any action on Nees would follow a structured and transparent review process.

"I think what is important for us as a brand is, of course, to ensure that our processes are transparent. It's not knee-jerk reactions. But we look into the issues and, of course, have a systematic way of reviewing ourselves as we go forward," he said.

Since assuming the Warriors' coaching job, Nees has struggled to produce results, registering only two victories in all competitions. His tactical decisions and player selections have come under heavy scrutiny from supporters and analysts, many of whom doubt his grasp of the local football environment.

Magwizi, who has championed the professionalization of ZIFA's operations since taking office, reiterated that performance-based management will now underpin all national football programs.

"Very disappointing that we lost matches, I know," he admitted. "But we have to look at everything — the planning, the coaching, and even the administrative side — to make sure that we are building something sustainable."

The upcoming ZIFA executive committee meeting will therefore be crucial for Nees, whose brief and troubled spell in charge could soon come to an end. Whether the German tactician survives the chop or joins Zimbabwe's long list of short-lived national coaches will depend on the findings of the review — and ZIFA's willingness to match its reform rhetoric with decisive action.