Substantive Zimbabwe coach expected to start next month

The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has finally sealed a deal to bring on board United States-based coach Charles Mhlauri as the substantive coach of the Warriors ahead of the resumption of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Mali next month.

Sources say that the former Warriors coach will fly into the country in time for the crucial qualifier against Mali after agreeing in principle with the soccer mother body to have another dance with the Warriors.

"It's a done deal," said the source.

"We now have him (Charles) as the substantive coach of the Warriors. What is only left now are housekeeping issues, then ratification before he is unveiled. We are following procedure because he had his job in the US where he was a director of coaching. He had a very good job there and was not desperate for this job."

"He will only assume duty when we prepare for the Mali game. Madinda Ndlovu will be in charge of the team in Sudan but depending on his (Mhlauri) schedule he might link up with the team in Sudan to assess some of the players, but that is entirely up to him because his duty starts with the Mali game," said the source.

Mhlauri, who has reportedly been offered a $10 000 monthly salary, now has the biggest responsibility on his shoulders to haul the team back into contention for a place in the finals after they failed to qualify for the last two editions held in Ghana and Angola.