A bitter dispute among members of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee has scuppered plans to appoint veteran Brazilian coach Baltemar Brito as the new Warriors coach. Despite Committee chair Lincoln Mutasa’s enthusiasm for Brito’s appointment, his colleagues had other ideas, leading to a stalemate that ultimately cost Brito the job.

According to sources close to the negotiations, Mutasa was keen to finalize a contract with Brito, but other Committee members insisted on offering the Brazilian a full-time position, rather than the initial short-term deal proposed. This disagreement sparked a heated debate among the Committee members, ultimately leading to the collapse of the deal.

Brito, who boasts an impressive coaching resume, had been widely tipped to take the reins of the Warriors, and his appointment was seen as a major coup for Zimbabwean football. However, the internal squabbles within ZIFA’s leadership have once again thwarted the country’s football progress.

This development was a significant setback for the Warriors, who are preparing for a series of crucial international matches.