Sacked Zimbabwean under-23 national soccer coach Misheck Marimo Chidzambwa on Wednesday blasted the Zimbabwe Football Association for firing all of the national coaches this week saying it had not provided them with adequate resources.
Chidzambwa told reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that he was not bitter about ZIFA's decision - but was surprised to see the entire soccer coaching staff being sacrificed at ZIFA’s hands.
Chidzambwa had no contract and was working on a part-time basis when he received his notice of dismissal from ZIFA Chief Executive Officer Henrietta Rushwaya about two weeks ago. He said he was offered the part-time position in August 2006 and coached the under-23 team for just four games without scant resources.
Meanwhile, charismatic former Zimbabwe Warriors coach Reinhard Fabish and South Africa’s Jomo Somo were being tipped to take charge of the Warriors after the firing of Charles Mhlauri, faulted by fans for Zimbabwe's recent defeat by Morocco which eliminated the team from the running in the 2008 Africa Nations Cup.
But ZIFA executive Rushwaya warned against speculation, saying ZIFA was seeking increased government funding to allow it to recruit international coaching talent.
The Zimbabwe Soccer Supporters Association hailed ZIFA’s moves. Chairman Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga said, however, that fans are not keen on hiring a foreign coach.
More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...