ZIFA Shortlists Five Coaches for Warriors Top Job

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has moved a step closer to appointing a new Warriors head coach after narrowing down its search to five experienced candidates for the national team’s top job.

The association has been seeking a replacement for former coach Michael Nees, whose tenure was cut short following a disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Under Nees, the Warriors failed to secure a single victory and finished at the bottom of Group C.

Although ZIFA has maintained tight confidentiality regarding the recruitment process, sources close to the selection panel confirmed that five coaches have made the final shortlist from more than 100 applicants.

Among the contenders is Stuart Baxter of England, a familiar name in African football, who previously guided Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, and the South African national team, Bafana Bafana.

Also in the running is Marian Mario Marinica, a Romanian coach and former Malawi national team manager who most recently worked with Liberia.

French tactician Patrice Neveu, who boasts coaching experience across Africa and beyond—including stints with Guinea, Kenya, the DRC, Haiti, Mauritania, and Gabon—is also reportedly on the list.

Two Portuguese coaches complete the lineup: Luis Gonçalves, formerly in charge of Mozambique, and António Conceição, who previously led Cameroon.

According to insiders, ZIFA conducted online interviews with several high-profile applicants before finalizing the shortlist. Each candidate is said to have substantial international exposure and experience managing in both European and African competitions.

The association is expected to make an official announcement soon, with the chosen coach likely to take charge ahead of upcoming FIFA international friendlies against Algeria and Qatar later this month. The matches are seen as an opportunity for the new coach to assess the Warriors squad before next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

ZIFA officials say the selection process was guided by strict criteria, requiring candidates to hold top-level coaching qualifications and a minimum of five years’ experience in CAF inter-club or national team competitions, including AFCON, CHAN, the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup, and COSAFA Cup.

Following the Warriors’ underwhelming World Cup campaign, fans and analysts alike are hopeful that the incoming coach will inject new energy and restore confidence as Zimbabwe targets a stronger showing at the AFCON finals.

Source- Herald