By Patience Gondo
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has formally advertised the vacant post of head coach for the Zimbabwe senior men’s national football team, The Warriors, and are inviting qualified applicants to lead the country’s flagship side.
This follows the firing of Head Coach Nees on Wednesday October 22 2025.
According to the association, the head coach will be responsible for leading, managing and developing the national team to achieve competitive excellence in regional and international tournaments, including COSAFA, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and FIFA competitions.
The successful candidate will be tasked with team selection, tactical strategy, training and performance management, all in line with ZIFA’s National Football Development Strategy.
“This appointment is central to our mission of strengthening the national team’s performance structure and ensuring that The Warriors remain competitive in Africa and beyond,” a ZIFA spokesperson said.
The role involves leading the planning and delivery of the team’s technical programmes, scouting and selecting players based on merit and performance and developing a data-driven, performance-based football philosophy.
The coach will also supervise technical staff, including analysts and medical personnel, while collaborating with the ZIFA Technical Department to align the national team with youth and talent development pathways.
The applicants must hold a CAF Pro Licence or UEFA Pro Licence, or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification. A tertiary qualification in Sport Science, Coaching, or Football Management will be considered an added advantage.
ZIFA requires candidates to have at least five years of professional coaching experience at national team and or top-tier club level.
The coach should also demonstrate experience in African competitions such as AFCON, the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup, or COSAFA tournaments.
“We are looking for a proven leader who can achieve results under pressure, manage national expectations and bring professionalism and discipline to the team,” ZIFA said in the advert.
The association highlighted that applicants must have experience in managing elite players and multidisciplinary teams, as well as strong leadership, tactical knowledge, communication and analytical ability. High levels of professionalism, discipline and teamwork were listed among the key competencies required.
Remuneration for the post is described as competitive and performance-based, commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Interested candidates are required to submit a single PDF document containing a detailed curriculum vitae of not more than four pages, a two-page cover letter outlining their coaching philosophy and achievements, copies of coaching licences and academic certificates, and contact details of at least three professional referees. Applicants must also include their earliest availability and salary expectations.
All applications should be emailed to the General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Football Association at vacancies@zifa.co.zw, with the subject line “Application – Head Coach (Warriors) – [Your Name].”
ZIFA said only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and that the association reserves the right not to make an appointment.
“This is an opportunity for a coach who believes in building structure, discipline, and excellence at the highest level of Zimbabwean football,” said ZIFA.
Although Zimbabweans are a soccer-loving people, the national side has never given them smiles.
Nees won only two out of the national team 15 matches and earned the national team the nickname “Worry Us”.
The country has never qualified for the World Cup and has been inconsistent with some players overstaying their welcome in the squad.
To add salt to injury the national team does not play at home after all its stadiums were condemned by the world soccer governing body FIFA.