Ashley Masakadza

The Zimbabwe Football Association has appointed Highlanders F.C coach Baltemar Brito as the head coach of the National Football Team, to lead it ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

In a statement, the football governing body said Brito will be assisted by Bongani Mafu and Genesis Mangombe as his technical team. Their term is set to run from now until June 2024.

” The Zimbabwe Football Association is pleased to inform the nation that it has appointed Baltermar Brito as the head coach of the senior men’s team forthwith until June 2024. He will be assisted by Bongani Mafu and Genesis Mangombe.

“The Normalization Committee (NC) settled for this trio after an extensive recruitment and consultative process based on regional, continental, and global confederations guidelines. They will have to begin working on creating a team to compete in the 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS in November,” reads the statement

Their term was made short to align them with the expiration date of the current Normalisation Committee’s term so that the next executive will get to choose its own coaches.

“The NC set the coaches’ term of engagement to end at the same time with its mandate so that the next board will have the opportunity to recruit their own coaches. Brito and his assistants’ first assignment will be the invitational match to celebrate Botswana’s Independence Day on 30 September.”

ZIFA extended its gratitude to Dynamos FC and Highlanders FC for allowing them to borrow their coaches. However, they said the coaches to will remain loyal to their clubs, and will only report for duty when called for.

“ZIFA would like to tank Highlanders FC and Dynamos FC for allowing their coaches to serve the nation. The coaches will be reporting for national assignments as and when required to do so.”

ZIFA pleaded with the nation to be patient with them in their journey to get their affairs and house in order.