Today’s assembly follows Zifa president Cuthbert Dube’s meeting with Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, heavily tipped to land the Warriors top post, over the past two days.The Belgian, who is the head coach of the Namibia national team, is still in the country.He reiterated yesterday that he held talks with Dube on Wednesday and he was scheduled to meet him again in the next few days.“I am still around, I met the president yesterday (Wednesday) and we had good talks. I will obviously talk to him again in the next few days and I am sure the issue will soon be cleared,” said Saintfiet in a telephone interview.Zifa board member for marketing, Nigel Munyati, told Independent Sport on Wednesday of the impending indaba where a decision has to be reached over the appointment of national team coaches, an issue which has split the football mother body.“We have another meeting on Saturday where we expect to finish this issue (of the Warriors coach),” said Munyati.Last week the technical committee recommended a set up comprising Saintfiet as head coach assisted by Madinda Ndlovu and Friday Phiri.The recommendations did not go down well with Dube who tried to veto the decision and delayed the announcement whilst threatening to thrust Norman Mapeza into the hot seat, a move which would have done away with two months of work by the committee.Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede also confirmed that a board meeting is to be held in Harare today.“I am aware that a board meeting has been called in Harare where we will discuss the goal project, among other things,” said Gumede.He however could not shed light on the issue of national team coaches, saying that he was not sure if there was anything to discuss.This could be a pointer that some board members are remaining steadfast on the recommendations and decisions made by the technical committee, or that a compromise had been made to accommodate Mapeza.Saintfiet’s continued stay in Zimbabwe suggests that he is certain of landing the Warriors job.Mapeza has been guiding the Warriors over the past few months after Sunday Chidzambwa, who was substantive coach, left for South Africa.Indications are that Dube was not happy with the total exclusion of Mapeza.Saintfiet arrived on Tuesday expecting to be unveiled as the new Warriors boss but he has been made to wait longer than he expected.It is expected that at tomorrow’s meeting, a slightly altered set up will be agreed on, with strong indications being that the Belgian gets the top post, assisted by Mapeza and Ndlovu.
Kevin Mapasure
