Warriors chaos continues – ZimEye

The ZIFA Regularisation Committee (NC) turned the Warriors into a laughing stock this Sunday when it released the third COSAFA squad, proving to be masters at creating chaos.

Football in Zimbabwe appears to be collapsing as the running of the country’s most popular sport is in disarray due to mismanagement by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA NC).

Even as the Super Soccer League announced that it would not suspend play to pave the way for a tournament not on the FIFA calendar, the nation was shocked when head coach Jairos Tapera named five players from his club Manica Diamonds and four from his assistant Takesure Chiragwi’s Ngezi Platinums, a move that could affect the league.

However, following a backlash from the media and fans, some changes were made to the squad, with Manika Diamonds goalkeeper Geoffrey Chitsumba and Ngezi’s Nelson Chadya being replaced by Highlanders goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi and Manika Diamonds’ Joseph Kaunda, who is yet to play a match this season.

Dynamos’ Emmanuel Jalai and CAPS United defender Godknows Murwira have also been selected in the revised squad, with Highlanders’ McKinon Mushore also part of the changes.

While the new squad shows careful consideration, the decision by the current Milton Park-based ZIFA NC club has left the country wondering about the direction of national football, while the confusion and disorganisation of the ZIFA NC management is evident.

The dysfunctional NC made a shocking third roster change to the Warriors in the same tournament.

Adding to the confusion, Warriors interim coach Jairos Tapera on Monday distanced himself from COSAFA team selection, noting that he has yet to announce his squad for the tournament.

Tapela told reporters: “I saw more than a dozen teams appear in front of the media. These teams have different names, all designated by Tapela, but I want to tell you that the team I am about to announce is the team I will travel to South Africa with. I have not announced my squad yet, you will see it today or tomorrow when we enter the training camp.”

The question remains, who selects the team if the head coach is not aware of the selected players, and there are concerns about whether the coaching staff and ZIFA NC are on the same page.

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