Following Michael Nees’ sacking as Zimbabwe’s head coach, former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Alois Bunjira is lobbying for Pitso Mosimane as the ideal foreign successor for The Warriors’ job.
The Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] terminated Nees’ contract on Wednesday due to poor results. During his tenure since July 2024, Nees was in charge of 16 matches, recording two wins, seven draws, and seven defeats.
Despite guiding Zimbabwe to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] to be staged in Morocco, his performance was deemed insufficient.
Kaitano Tembo, a former SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United coach who served as an assistant coach for Zimbabwe, is currently poised to lead the team to AFCON. However, Bunjira believes Pitso Mosimane, a veteran coach with a proven track record and experience, is the best foreign option.
WHAT FORMER SUNDOWNS STAR BUNJIRA SAID
“If we decide to go for a foreign coach, I would choose Pitso Mosimane. He has a proven track record of success and is highly qualified. He knows many of our players, and for me, Pitso is the best,” Bunjira said.
Bunjira also suggested former Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza as a potential local candidate, but acknowledged Mapeza’s challenges with foreign-based players. Bunjira believes Mapeza, assisted by Kaitano Tembo, could be a strong coaching team if given the chance.
“If Norman Mapeza hadn’t had issues with the foreign boys, he could have carried on as national team coach. He could have achieved wonders with this crop of players,” Bunjira added.
“His disciplinarian mindset could have whipped everyone into shape, getting them to perform at their optimum best. We could have seen much better football over the past year or so.
“I hope ZIFA is considering rehiring him to take us to AFCON if they’re thinking of a local coach. He is the perfect local coach for the national team, ably assisted by Kaitano Tembo, Joel Lupahla, and Lloyd Chitembwe.”
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