HARARE: Former Triangle and Yadah head coach, Jairos Tapera, has been appointed as the caretaker coach of Zimbabwe’s national football team by the ZIFA Normalisation Committee.
This decision arrives just in time for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Zimbabwe will compete against Lesotho and South Africa.
Tapera’s appointment follows his recent tenure with the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League team, Manica Diamonds.
In a statement, the ZIFA Normalisation Committee explained the reasons behind this interim arrangement.
“Following the purposeful and expansive process conducted by the ZIFA Normalisation Committee to appoint a substantive Head Coach for our senior men’s national team, my committee and I are pleased to announce that the process has reached its finalization. However, due to ongoing discussions with the selected candidate, we are unable to make the necessary announcement at this stage,” the statement read signed by chairman Lincoln Mutasa.
With crucial matches approaching, the committee felt it was imperative to have a leadership team in place.
“Given that our World Cup qualifiers versus Lesotho and South Africa are imminent, the delay in the conclusion of this appointment has necessitated the appointment of an interim coaching team that will take charge of our two FIFA World Cup Qualifiers as well as the COSAFA Senior Men’s Tournament that starts immediately after these qualifiers.
The interim team, led by Tapera, also includes Takesure Chiragwi and Saul Chaminuka as Assistant Coaches, with Sunday Chidzambwa serving as the Technical Advisor.
This group will not only guide the team through the World Cup qualifiers but also into the subsequent COSAFA Men’s Tournament.
The committee expressed confidence in this temporary leadership, emphasizing the national unity and support needed.
