Zimpapers Logo

Lovemore Dube and Fungai Muderere

Bulawayo Bureau 

THE ZIFA Normalisation Committee has appointed Clemence Matawu as the Warriors manager having disbanded the post of general manager (responsible for all national teams). 

Matawu, who is currently the Chicken Inn club administrator, starts his new role with the trip to Gaborone for Saturday’s international friendly against Botswana as part of that country’s Independence celebrations. 

Simba Bhora’s Zivanai Kawadza joins the Warriors set-up as goalkeepers’ coach with Antonio Torres being the fitness and conditioning coach as well as coach Baltemar Brito’s translator. 

The 40-year-old Matawu graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Sport Science and Coach at NUST in 2019. 

Zifa NC chairman, Lincoln Mutasa told Zimpapers Sport yesterday that they had decided to appoint separate managers for each national team. 

“We advertised for the coaches’ posts as well as the various technical department positions and we have started making the appointments having gone through the applications. 

“As we mentioned earlier, we are changing from one overall general manager to having each team having its own manager.” 

Chicken Inn officials were ecstatic about the latest development which they view as an endorsement of their choice of a football administrator for Chicken Inn FC. 

Matawu is the man driving the Chicken Inn secretariat after a glowing career that earned him a Soccer Star of the Year accolade and four other appearances on the calendar. He also won the league titles with Chicken Inn and Motor Action a rare fit for a player who never played for the traditional Big Three Caps United, Dynamos and Highlanders FC. 

He had a stint in Poland. 

“We are excited as the executive as this is a vote of confidence in our football administration. We feel honoured to have our legend being recognised at this level of our football. Having worked with Matawu over the years as our captain then in the administration as administration manager and now acting general manager before his appointment to Zifa, we don’t doubt that he will deliver for the nation. We wish him all the success,” said Judah Tshuma the club chairman.

Club president and also Premier Soccer League vice chairman, Lifa Ncube said: “As a club we are very happy for the recognition that has been given to Clemence’s professionalism and dedication to his work. We are very confident he’ll thrive in this position,” said Ncube last night. 

Meanwhile, the Warriors are scheduled to leave the country today for the invitational match against Botswana to be played in Gaborone on Saturday without Highlanders’ Andrew Mbeba and Dynamos captain Frank Makarati.

The combative pair of Mbeba and Makarati was dropped from the Warriors squad to allow their respective clubs fulfil the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final matches that are set to take place on Saturday and Sunday. 

Bosso and DeMbare had three players each in the Warriors team and sought to have their respective cup ties be postponed. 

Bosso are on Sunday set to welcome CAPS United at Barbourfields Stadium and Dynamos are set to do duty against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in a Saturday fixture. 

Sheasham defender Thubelihle Jubane, who can play as a centre-back or right-back, was reportedly one of the players called up late to join the national team camp.

Warriors Squad 

 Goalkeepers: Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum Stars)

Defenders: Peter Muduhwa, Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Farai Banda (Manica Diamonds), Qadr Amini (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Xolani Ndlovu (Chicken Inn)

Midfielders: Brighton Manhire (Highlanders), Shepherd Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Tanaka Shandirwa (Dynamos), Mthokozisi Msebe (Bulawayo Chiefs), Donald Mudadi (Dynamos), Davison Marowa (Herentals), Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Tinotenda Benza (Herentals)

Forwards: William Manondo (Caps United), Fortune Binzi (Manica Diamonds), Obriel Chirinda (Bulawayo Chiefs)