Chidzambwa told Mhlauri to quit

Chidzambwa told Mhlauri to quit

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By Mutongi Gava

FORMER national soccer team coach Sunday Chidzambwa advised incumbent Warriors mentor Charles Mhlauri to step down after Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) reshuffled his technical department, New Zimbabwe.com can reveal.

The restructuring of the Warriors saw assistant coaches Willard-Mashinkila Khumalo and David Mandigora re-assigned to the junior national teams.

Mashinkila-Khumalo is now the Under-20 assistant coach while Mandigora was appointed to a powerless technical committee role.

Mhlauri is now being assisted by premiership title winning Highlanders coach Methembe Ndlovu, and Under-23 coach Misheck Chidzambwa.

A close friend of Sunday Chidzambwa revealed: "Mhlauri drove to Raylton Sports Club where Chidzambwa normally socialises to ask for his advice following the restructuring."

The friend added: "Chidzambwa told him that he (Mhlauri) should resign. Mhlauri was shocked by Chidzambwa's advice but Sunday is a candid man. He always speaks his mind and strongly believes that the head coach must be firmly in control while the association do their administrative role."

Chidzambwa declined to comment Sunday. Mhlauri, who is travelling to Europe this week, confirmed meeting Chidzambwa but said their discussion was a "private matter".

Chidzambwa left the same job three years ago after Zifa indicated that they wanted to appoint a technical advisor.

Chidzambwa was the first coach to take Zimbabwe to the African Cup of Nations in 2004, and Mhlauri ensured the side qualify for the second consecutive time in Egypt last January.

Zimbabwe stuttered in their first match of the Ghana 2008 campaign when they lost 1-0 to minnows Malawi in their opening Group 12 match. The group also inludes Morocco who beat Malawi 2-0 in Rabat in September.

The Warriors need to win the remaining three matches to qualify for the continental showpiece.
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