In what it described as a move to promote continuity, the Zimbabwe Football Association this week announced it has adopted a policy requiring that at least one Warriors assistant coach should come from the junior team's coaching staff.
The Zifa board decided on the policy change in a weekend meeting, but assistant coach David Mandigora of the Warriors national team said he had not been informed officially of the change though he had seen reports in the media. The new policy could mean that his job or that of fellow assistant coach Willard Khumalo is at risk.
Zifa has been under fire to revamp its top management, which critics accuse of failing to prepare logistically ahead of crucial international matches, contributing to a recent loss to Malawi in an African Cup of Nations qualifier on the road. But critics say the policy change is meant to divert attention from Zifa's corporate management.
Zifa board member Regis Dzenga, responsible for development, defended the policy, telling reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that it is already in place within the structure of junior teams and has produced results.
More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...