BY TERRY MADYAUTA
FORMER Young Warriors and Yadah FC coach Jairos Tapera has emerged as an early favourite for the vacant head coach post at Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debutants TelOne.
The Gweru-based side has stepped up its search for a new head coach after Joel Luphahla was forced to step down from his duties ahead of the new season since he does not have a CAF A licence to coach in the Premier Soccer League.
Zifa last month announced that coaches without the CAF A licence coaching badge would not be allowed to seat on the technical bench for domestic top-flight matches.
A number of names have been thrown in the hat for the coaching job including former Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa, ex-Shabanie coaches Alexio Sigion and Takesure Chiragwi and CAPS United technical director Nelson Matongorere.
Sources at the club, however, revealed that Tapera had emerged as the front runner to take charge of the Wifi Boys.
Tapera is currently unattached after he was frozen out of Central Region Division One side Sheasham.
He, together with Jeremiah Neganda, were shown the door following John Nyikadzino’s appointment at the club.
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The former Zimbabwe Under-20 coach confirmed in an interview with Standardsport yesterday that he had applied for the job.
He added that he was still awaiting a response from the club.
TelOne president Lloyd Mthethwa yesterday revealed that they would be naming their new substantive coach this week, with Luphahla expected to have a big say on who gets the job.
“He (Tapera) is part of the list but we have not yet confirmed who is to take over the vacant post because we are considering a number of candidates,” Mthethwa said.
“I cannot mention them by name but by the end of this week, we will name our man. Joel Luphahla’s recommendations will play a part in finding the right candidate to lead the team.
“At the same time, we will also reassign Luphahla to another position within the team because he remains a key part having helped the team gain promotion into the premier league,” he added.
