Orlando Pirates tactician Simon Marange has landed a new coaching gig in the Zimbabwe national team as the new Under-20 coach.
Marange will work closely with Backlyfied Chivenga, who will be his assistant. Chivenga brings extensive experience in the technical team, having previously worked as head coach at Aces Academy.
The Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] announced the arrival of Marange on Tuesday, 12 March 2024.
ZIFA sees Marange as a perfect candidate for the Under-20 job. He has extensive experience working with young players from different developmental stages. The Youth coach also led the Sea Robbers to a cup triumph in Soweto. He won the Gauteng Future Champions, which involved many European teams.
SIMON MARANGE APPOINTED ZIMBABWE UNDER-20 NATIONAL TEAM COACH
The youth coach’s main mandate will be to seal qualification in the upcoming tournaments like the 2025 AFCON and 2025 FIFA World Cup. This comes after the world football governing body, FIFA, lifted Zimbabwe’s ban in 2023 to participate in football activities.
“ZIFA is pleased to announce that Simon Marange has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the U20 men’s Zimbabwe national team,” the association said in a statement.
“Simon Marange currently serves as the Orlando Pirates reserve team coach. He was promoted from the U21s of Orlando Pirates whom he coached from 2020-2023.
“Between 2018 and 2020, Marange was the U17 coach of Orlando Pirates. He won the Future Champions Trophy, beating Osasuna, Club Brugge, and Spartak Moscow on the way to the final in a tournament boasting the likes of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid as former winners.
“He brings to Zimbabwe football, his strength and experience. He’s been working with elite youth players in their professional development phase, bridging the last step into professional football. Simon Marange will be assisted by former Aces Academy head coach Backlyfield Chivenga.”
FORMER CHIPPA COACH Norman Mapeza reappointed as Zimbabwe coach
Meanwhile, ZIFA also re-appointed Norman Mapeza as the Zimbabwe interim coach. The former Chippa United coach will be in charge of the Warriors for the upcoming four-nations tournament in Malawi.
The tournament, set to be staged in Lilongwe on the 18th-26th of March, features hosts Malawi, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“Norman Mapeza is the current head coach of Zimbabwe Premier League side FC Platinum, with whom he has won multiple league titles. He is also a former national team captain and has had several stints as head coach of the men’s senior national team.
“Norman Mapeza will be assisted by Ngezi Platinum Stars head coach, Takesure Chiragwi.”
RELATED STORY: Ex-Chiefs captain targets Amajita’s scalp at COSAFA Under 20
