Chidzambwa: replacing Gumbo with Mhlauri a mistake

Chidzambwa: replacing Gumbo with Mhlauri a mistake

FIRED: Gumbo lost his job after a defeat to Nigeria

• Warriors fall in Morocco, Mhlauri faces axe

• Mhlauri's fury over Ndlovu no-show

By Nkanyiso Moyo

FORMER Warriors coach and the first man to take Zimbabwe to the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in
2004, Sunday Chidzambwa, says ZIFA erred in firing his former assistant Rahman Gumbo and replacing him with Charles Mhlauri.

And Chidzambwa blames ZIFA's decision to axe Gumbo for Zimbabwe's failure to qualify for the AFCON finals in Ghana next year.

Gumbo, now the head coach of Malawi champions MTL Wanderers, was fired after the Warriors lost to Nigeria 3-0 in a 2006 AFCON/World Cup qualifier in Harare, despite having managed to pick up two draws and a win in the matches against Gabon, Algeria and Rwanda respectively.

Mhlauri succeeded Gumbo and using the foundation the former Highlanders coach had built, led Zimbabwe to Egypt, where they recorded one win in three games and bowed out in the first round of the bi-annual competition.

Chidzambwa believes ZIFA must have built on that foundation and given Gumbo the resources to work with the Under 20 and Under 23 coaches for the development of players, who would form the core of the 2010 campaign.

The Warriors are at the bottom of Group 12 with just one point from the 1-1 draw against Morocco in March.

They lost 1-0 to Malawi before Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Atlas Lions.

Chidzambwa said Monday: “I do not deny that decisions have to be taken, but that one was terrible. No team in Africa can fire a coach because he has lost to Nigeria.

“They are a powerhouse and we cannot deny that we do not have the resources to match them.

“Rahman had build a foundation and the loss against Nigeria must have been a learning point for him, yet he was denied that chance. It was all a mistake.

“Charles had won the league with CAPS United but did he have a history in Africa? Rahman had been there both as a player and coach and has learnt a lot.

“I am not saying that Charles is a bad coach, but he was just rushed. He needed to be an assistant to an experienced person first and then go on his own.

“Where is Zimbabwe now? We should have been playing in Ghana next year so that a proper foundation is laid for 2010."

Chidzambwa said Zimbabwe has the players for 2010, but needed proper guidance.

He added: “Look at those boys in Belgium (Honour Gombami and Vusa Nyoni). You do not get longer contracts when you are not playing well, but they have new contracts, which suggests they are doing well.

“We have Noel Kaseke, Evans (Gwekwerere), Bhasera, (Tapuwa) Kapini, (James) Matola, (Herbert) Dick, these Under 23 goalkeepers, (Clemence) Matawu and you cannot go wrong.

“The future is bright, but without proper guidance the talent will go to waste,” the former coach said.

Does he wish to return?

“Not at all and for now I cannot say why.”

The future?

“I think ZIFA has to decide whether to keep Mhlauri or not.”

The Warriors' next game is against Malawi in September and after that, its back to the COSAFA Castle Cup in 2008 and the start of the 2010 qualifiers in September of the same year.

African Cup of Nations 2008
Group 12
[The team that wins the group goes through to the finals in Ghana in 2008]

RESULTS THAT ELIMINATED ZIMBABWE:
Date: 02/09/2006
Morocco 2-0 Malawi
Date: 07/10/2006
Malawi 1-0 Zimbabwe
Date: 25/03/2007
Zimbabwe 1-1 Morocco
Date: 02/06/2007
Morocco 2-0 Zimbabwe

REMAINING FIXTURES:
Date: 15/16/17-06/2007
Malawi/Morocco
Date:07/08/09-09/2007
Zimbabwe/Malawi

Group 12 Table:

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	P
Morocco	3	2	1	0	5	1	7
Malawi	2	1	0	1	1	2	3
Zimbabwe	3	0	1	2	1	4	1

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