Gumbo, Msiska axed as Zifa rings changes

Gumbo, Msiska axed as Zifa rings changes

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By Steve Vickers

RAHMAN Gumbo has been sacked from his post as Zimbabwe national team football coach

The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has fired national team coach Rahman Gumbo and his assistant, Brenna Msiska.

The decision comes after the Warriors lost 3-0 to Nigeria in a 2006 World Cup qualifier last Sunday, the team's heaviest-ever home defeat, and amidst rumours of player indiscipline.

The announcement was made following a lengthy board meeting in Harare on Friday.

At the same meeting Zifa also decided to sanction players who they find to have a record of poor discipline in training camps, and to draw up a code of conduct for players and coaches.

Team manager Rafiq Adam had already resigned following the defeat and allegations of misbehaviour among team members.

Players were seen at Harare nightclubs on the weekend of the Nigeria match, and many players are alleged to regularly bring girlfriends to the team hotel.

"All future national team camps need to be managed as strictly as possible," said Zifa vice-chairman Wyatt Mpofu in a statement.

Mpofu, who is the Zifa board member in charge of the national team, also hinted that there are likely to be changes made to the Warriors squad.

"The team must comprise of young and success-hungry players," he said.

"The next assignment against Angola should see a complete change in the management of the team, and all loopholes should be plugged."

Gumbo only took over the national team three months ago following the resignation of Sunday Marimo at the end of May.

Gumbo led the Warriors in four World Cup qualifiers and a Cosafa Cup quarter-final, where Zimbabwe won 5-0 away to Swaziland.

A new coach will be appointed on 17 September and his first task will be to lead the Warriors in a 2006 World Cup qualifier away to Angola on 9 October.
BBC
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