Hughton, Redknapp among 200 applicants for Warriors job

Former Newcastle United and Ghana coach Chris Hughton is among more than 200 applicants vying for the vacant Warriors head coach position, as Zimbabwe's national team post draws strong international interest ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in December.

The 66-year-old Englishman, who also managed Brighton and Nottingham Forest, headlines a list of high-profile coaches that includes former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, ex-Warriors goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, and Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet.

The job fell vacant following the dismissal of German coach Michael Nees, who was sacked after a dismal run in the World Cup qualifiers. Despite guiding Zimbabwe to next month's Afcon finals in Morocco, Nees failed to secure a single win in the qualifiers, with the team finishing bottom of Group C and enduring a four-match goal drought.

According to Zifa insiders, the response to the advert — which closed yesterday — was "overwhelming", despite stringent criteria requiring applicants to hold a Caf Pro or Uefa Pro Licence and have at least five years' experience managing national teams in Africa.

The Zifa Technical and Executive Committees will now review the submissions before shortlisting candidates for interviews.

In a statement, Zifa said the high number of applications reflected the "enduring appeal" of the Warriors brand despite recent challenges.

"The Warriors remain an attractive project with a strong pool of mature, ambitious players capable of achieving something special," the association said.

Zimbabwe boasts a core of players competing at the highest levels, including Wolves duo Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa, Udinese left-back Jordan Zemura, Champions League defender Munashe Garan'anga of Copenhagen, and Teenage Hadebe, who recently featured against Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer.

A former Warriors player, speaking anonymously, said the wave of applications marked "renewed global attention" on Zimbabwean football.

"There's a growing sense that the Warriors job is becoming a serious professional opportunity again," he said.

The incoming coach will have little time to settle, with international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar lined up during the November window before the Afcon campaign begins.

Zimbabwe has been drawn in a tough group alongside Egypt, Angola, and South Africa, as the team targets a historic first-ever qualification to the knockout stages since their debut in Tunisia 2004.