RAHMAN Gumbo says he harbours no bitterness against ZIFA over his 2004 axing, just five matches into his reign as national team coach during which he lost only ONCE.
Gumbo was this week named as caretaker national team coach after Norman Mapeza was suspended over match fixing allegations.
The Highlanders legend said: “History is history, I have been called upon to assist my country I don’t have a problem with that.
“Our focus now must be to move forward and plan for the game. After all, it’s just one game.”
Gumbo, current boss of Premier League side FC Platinum, has been handed the daunting challenge of taking a weakened Zimbabwe team to Burundi on February 29 for a crucial 2013 Africa Cup of Nations first round first leg qualifier.
ZIFA expects a decision on the match fixing allegations against Mapeza and 82 players before the end of March, and if cleared, he will reassume his position to prepare the team for the second leg in Harare on June 15.
With almost the entire national team squad also suspended over the so-called Asiagate scandal, Gumbo is surprisingly bullish about Zimbabwe’s chances of getting a result in Burundi.
“Obviously, it’s a big challenge with the pool of player reduced, but there are a lot of players out there that can also do well for the national team, they deserve this chance,” Gumbo said, speaking in Harare on Friday ahead of Saturday’s friendly match between Platinum and Black Rhinos at Rufaro.
He added: “Once I meet with David Mandigora [assistant coach], I’m sure we can come up with a very strong team. Our target should be to still be in contention when the second leg comes around in June.”
Some of the experienced players who can be called up include Tapuwa Kapini, Tinashe Nengomasha, Vusa Nyoni and Musa Mguni and rookies Simba Sithole, Lincoln Zvasiya and Brian Abbas Amidu.
Warriors stars who are unavailable due to the ban include Edward Sadomba, Gilbert Banda, captain Method Mwanjali, goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Cuthbert Malajila, Ovidy Karuru, Thomas Sweswe, Willard Katsande, Khama Billiat and Zephaniah Ngodzo.
The players, along with over a dozen coaches and match officials, are accused of taking part in friendly matches in Asia organised by a betting syndicate which made millions at the bookies after paying Zimbabwe to lose by pre-agreed scores.
The tours to Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand between 2007 and 2009 were allegedly organised by the syndicates working with the shamed former ZIFA CEO, Henrietta Rushwaya. She was arrested last week and charged with fraud.
ZIFA turned to Gumbo to navigate the choppy waters, seven years after his controversial axing.
Gumbo had taken over from Sunday Chidzambwa in 2004 after the Warriors’ debut in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia. Having drawn against Gabon and Algeria before beating Swaziland 5-0 away and Rwanda 2-0 away, Gumbo lost 3-0 to Nigeria in Harare and was fired.
Charles Mhlauri took over, recorded two wins and a 5-0 loss to Nigeria away, but survived the axe.
For Gumbo, who went on to win league titles in Botswana with Township Rollers and Telecom Wanderers in Malawi, that is now water under the bridge as he focuses on arguably his trickiest assignment to yet.
Asked whether he will take the job full time if offered in the event Mapeza fails to beat the match fixing charges, Gumbo said: “I’m committed fully to my contract at FC Platinum.”