FC Platinum and ZIFA battle for head coach Norman Mapeza

Sunday Mar 26, 2017. 10:30

Despite announcing that they have appointed Norman Mapeza as caretaker for the national team, the Zimbabwean Football Association is now battling against FC Platinum for the coach.

Reports from Zimbabwe indicate that the Premier Soccer League side is reluctant to have Mapeza doubling up as the head of the Warriors technical team on a permanent basis.

The News Day website reports that the Zvishavane-based side have released Mapeza to take charge of the national team in their friendly match against Zambia on Sunday, but are not keen to release him for future matches.

Mapeza has been touted as the preferred candidate to take over the reins on a permanent basis, but his job at FC Platinum at club level might hinder his dream of bossing the Warriors in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers in June.

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According to the club's media liaison officer Chido Chizondo, the club had agreed to release Mapeza for this week’s match against Zambia, but would have to consider their own situation should the coach be asked to take the job on a permanent basis.

“We have received communication from Zifa and the coach will join the national team. We appreciate the importance of this assignment,” Chizondo said.

“We, however, await further communication on the duration of his service with the national team. With regard to the future, we would have to sit down and assess how it would impact the club if he is asked to take up the job.”

An insider, however, said they were not too keen on having their coach engaging in the Warriors job, which demands a lot of time and commitment.

They feel that divided attention could hinder their bid to conquer the domestic league this season having set themselves big targets this time around.

Meanwhile, it is likely that if ZIFA were to offer Mapeza the job, he would have to choose between the Warriors and FC Platinum as he may not be able to shoulder both responsibilities.