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The Belgian coach risks imminent deportation from Zimbabwe after the Department of Immigration yesterday revealed that they have not granted him a work permit.
Saintfiet conducted his first training session with the Zimbabwe squad at the National Sports Stadium B Arena yesterday with the assistance of Norman Mapeza, Madinda Ndlovu and Ri-chard Tswatswa.

There was another expatriate coach Lutz Pfannenstiel, who is a goalkeepers’ specialist coach and was recommended by Saintfiet, according to information gathered by this newspaper.
A search by the The Herald showed that Pfannenstiel is a former Under-17 goalkeeper for Germany and is famous for having played for 25 clubs across the world in his career.

He appears to have the same nomadic streak that is evident in Saintfiet. Everything appeared normal and business-like as the largely foreign-based Warriors contingent went through their paces under the observation of the technical department. But away from the tranquility of the training session at the National Sports Stadium, a senior immigration official yesterday said Zifa have not yet applied for a work permit for the Belgi-an coach, whose appointment has been clouded with controversy.

Evans Siziba, the assistant regional immigration officer, who is the authority in the Ministry of Home Affairs on the issuance of work permits to foreigners, said Saintfiet and Pfannen-stiel risk being booted out Zimbabwe if they continue training without work permits. “Zifa know the operations of our department and so far we have not received any application for coaches.

“We are guided by the law and expect Zifa to follow the procedure, but if they let the coach conduct a training session, then he risks deportation. “The law is very clear on this as we will act accordingly,” said Siziba. Siziba said it would not matter even if Saintfiet was not going to sit on the bench on Sunday.

“Conducting a training session is part of his duties and that means he is working without a work permit. “So far we have not received anything from Zifa,” said Siziba. But Saintfiet seemed unperturbed and una-ware of his risk as he held two training sessions with the Warriors yesterday. The coach introduced himself to the players at the morning session and held a light workout before another training session in the afternoon.

Today, he is expected to address the media at the team’s camp at 2pm as he hopes to introduce a more professional relationship with sports journalists. At the afternoon training session yesterday, Saintfeit made it clear that he expects the players to work hard so that they get positive results. “I now know your names, but let me know your skills more now. “I expect you to work hard and please let us communicate if you have a problem.

“It’s my hope that you all understand English and you can even call at my room,” he said as he addressed his troops.

Saintfiet pointed out that he expects the Warriors to win all their home games and also manage good results away from home in the qualifiers.
In camp yesterday were goalkeepers Tapuwa Kapini, Edmore Sibanda, Washington Arubi and Timothy Sibanda who were working with Pfannenstiel and former ProNutro goalkeeper Tswatswa.

The fifth goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro is injured although he had been called for this particular camp. Mapeza joined the players in their drills while Saintfiet and Ndlovu also conducted drills.

Esrom Nyandoro, Tinashe Nengomasha, Knowledge Musona, Nyasha Mushekwi, Zhaimu Jambo, Method Mwanjali, Tafadzwa Rusike, Oscar Machapa and Thomas Sweswe made up the pool of South Africa-based players who were in camp.

Benjamin Marere was also in camp while Ashley Rambanapasi did not train because of an injury to his ankle.
The player was receiving treatment from the medical team for the injury aggravated during Dynamos’ Zaoga Golden Jubilee Charity Shield clash with Gunners at Rufaro on Sunday.

Rambanapasi was on fire during the match in which he scored a brace as Dynamos ran 4-1 winners over the league champions.
Saintfiet appeared pleased with the reception he got from the players and other members of the technical team.

Warriors’ manager Shariff Mussa said the coach was happy to have started off well despite the controversy off the field.
“He is ready for the job and said he has applied for the job, just like anyone else and was selected.

“The coach is happy that Norman got a draw in Liberia, but said Zimbabwe had the potential to win that game since the West Africans are lowly ranked.
“He maintains that we win all matches at home and try to get results away,” said Mussa.

Mussa said he expects Edward Sadomba, scorer of a goal as Al-Hilal qualified for the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup on Sunday, to arrive shortly after midday today as well as the rest of the Europe-based Warriors.

“We are expecting Eddie Sadomba to come in the afternoon as well as Vusa Nyoni, Ovidy Ka-ruru, Costa Nhamoinesu, Noel Kaseke and Ben-jani who are expected before the end of the day.

“So for now we have everyone in camp except the Europe-based guys and Sadomba,” said Mussa.

Midfielder Justice Majabvi arrived in Harare yesterday evening. Saintfiet is taking the game seriously as he wants to make an immediate impact in Zimba-bwe where, already, he has faced some hostile reception. But he is determined and the players appea-red to have embraced his work ethic and good command of the English language.

His lieutenant, Lutz Pfannenstiel, holds probably a world record for being a nomadic player. He was born on May 12, 1973 and played for 25 different clubs around the world during his career.
He started off with FC Bad Katztingn bet-ween 1991 and 1993 in Germany before moving to Wimbledon in England and later Nottingham Forest.

The long-haired coach had stints in New Zealand Singapore, USA, Brazil, South Africa, Finland, Malaysia, Malta, Belgium, Canada, Norway, Albania and Namibia.
Pfannenstiel began his coaching career in April 2008 when he became the goalkeepers’ coach for the Cuba national football team and in January 2009 signed a contract for Manglerud Star where he doubled as a player and goalkeepers’ coach.

In September 2009, Pfannenstiel left Norway and Europe to sign for Namibian club Ramblers as a player-coach and sport director as well as working as goalkeepers’ coach of the Brave Warriors.