Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
FORMER Warris defender Kaitano Tembo has been roped in as the second assistant coach to Micheal Nees for the senior national team ahead of the crunch tie against South Africa on the 10th of October at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Tembo has vast coaching experience, having started out as an Under 17 coach at SuperSport United of South Africa (now Siwele) before rising to become senior team head coach.
After leaving SuperSport, he had a short stint with Richards Bay before joining Sekhukhune United, where he is currently attached.
The 56-year-old, who represented the Warriors at AFCON 2004, was unveiled during the Warriors squad announcement this Tuesday.
“We want to put our best foot forward in the remaining World Cup qualifiers and at the upcoming AFCON tournament. That is why we have also brought in Coach Kaitano Tembo to help us be what we all want to be. To our fans, we see your passion, and we do not take it for granted. Success is a process,” ZIFA president, Nqobile Magwizi said.
For Tembo, ZIFA’s vision lured him back home.
“I am happy to be back, and I know the coach he taught me way back, but it is the dream of the new board that brought me back; they have a clear idea of what they want to do and how they want to develop football from grassroots, and I hope I will also contribute to that vision,” he said.
Meanwhile, Warriors coach Michael Nees made no surprises in announcing the 22-man squad to face off against South Africa and Lesotho in the two remaining World Cup Qualifiers.
Nees dropped midfielders Prosper Padera and Sean Fusire, together with forward Tino Kadewere, while calling back Prince Dube and Khama Billiat.
“There is so much to fight for; we do not want to give some teams an unfair advantage, but we are also making sure that we keep the core of the team that qualified us for AFCON together. The door is certainly not closed for new players. I am looking at a wide group,” Warriors coach Michael Nees said.
Zimbabwe is expected to get into camp this Sunday, while the foreign-based players will fly direct to Durban.
