Ex-Chippa United gaffer Norman Mapeza has been tipped for another run in charge of Zimbabwe as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Bafana Bafana and Nigeria.
It has emerged that the ZIFA Normalisation Committee is plotting a dream technical team set-up with Mapeza and Kalisto Pasuwa.
Mapeza will be replacing former Jose Mourinho’s assistant Baltemar Brito, whose contract was not renewed.
Brito had a short-term contract that lapsed at the end of December 2023. Under Brito, Zimbabwe played two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria, which ended in draws. More so, the ex-Chippa United gaffer Norman Mapeza will take charge of The Warriors during the international break.
They are slated to play in a tournament from 18 to 26 March, which will feature Malawi, Kenya, and Zambia.
This tournament is expected to be a build-up to the second round of the World Cup qualifiers set for June.
BAFANA BAFANA INTERNATIONAL BREAK SCHEDULE
As The Warriors take part in the four-nation tournament, Bafana Bafana are set to face Andorra and Algeria in two friendly matches.
Both matches will be played in Algeria. And it will be the first-ever meeting between Bafana and Andorra.
Algeria and Bafana last met in the 2015 AFCON group stages, where the North Africans won.
More so, this will be a massive test for the 2023 AFCON bronze medalists to flex their muscles against the 2019 Champions.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos could consider giving new players opportunities to impress during the upcoming matches. They take on Nigeria on June 3, 2024, away in Uyo. A week later, they will welcome Southern Africa neighbours Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers.
Looking at how they performed during the recent AFCON finals, it’s not hard to imagine them reaching the World Cup.
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