The Zimbabwe Football Association has stepped up their efforts to find a new Warriors head coach after formally approaching a former Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates coach. ZIFA is currently beset with searching for a new coach ahead of the fast-approaching FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

They are set to face Lesotho and Bafana Bafana in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for June. Former Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza held the fort during the latest international break.

That was after ZIFA decided not to renew Baltermar Brito’s contract, which ended on 31 December 2023. The former Jose Mourinho assistant coach, Brito, presided over two matches in November against Rwanda and Nigeria.

And it has now emerged that Kosta Papic has been approached by ZIFA to fill in the vacant post.

Sources have revealed that the Serbian is keen to accept the Warriors head coach job. Nothing has been completed yet, but it appears the 63-year-old is the ultimate target.

The former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates coach has also coached in West Africa, notably Hearts of Oak in Ghana and Nigeria’s Enyimba. He also coached Black Leopards, Polokwane City, Maritzburg United and Chippa United, as well as Tanzania’s Young Africans. Papic has been approached at a time, ex-SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo has also expressed interest in the job.

The Zimbabwean gaffer Tembo, is unattached after parting ways with Richards Bay in December 2023. “I’ve gained a lot of experience, and for me, I’m a coach, and when you’re a coach, you don’t say I don’t want,” Tembo told FARPost. “If the opportunity comes for me to coach the Warriors, I’m available. I’m a coach, and I can coach anywhere.

“I won’t say they haven’t approached me. But the most important thing to say is that I am available.” In addition, Tembo has for long been called out by Zimbabwe football fans who feel he is the right candidate to lead the team.

Source farpost.co.za