Zimbabwe confirm their manager for AFCON

The Warriors have confirmed who will take charge of the national team ahead of next month’s AFCON tournament.

Norman Mapeza will continue as caretaker manager for Zimbabwe ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in January.

The former midfielder, who won 92 caps for the national team during his playing career, first resumed control of Zimbabwe from the fired Croatian Zdravko Logarusic on a two-month contract in September.

It marked his fourth spell in charge of the Warriors on an interim basis after previously doing so in 2007, 2010, and between 2011-12.

Norman Mapeza will take charge of Zimbabwe for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon, the country’s football association confirmed on Sunday. https://t.co/lOVxnuMshX

— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) December 12, 2021

Despite Zimbabwe winning none of their four World Cup qualifiers between September and November, Mapeza was always expected to continue as manager for the AFCON finals in Cameroon.

There was a hint of doubt last week, when the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) confirmed him but then rescinded the appointment within 24 hours.

According to The Sunday Times, the U-turn was triggered by a ‘continuing power tussle’ after ZIFA won a court order to block its suspension by the government-appointed Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) last month.

However, just days after this U-turn, ZIFA gave final confirmation over Mapeza’s position on Sunday.

Former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari will reportedly join the interim manager as his assistant.

Mapeza, who also coaches Zimbabwean club FC Platinum, will now prepare for the Warrior’s Group B AFCON opener against Senegal in Bafoussam on January 10.