Nees on the brink
... as ZIFA decides his fate
PHILLIMON MHLANGA AND LIVINGSTONE MARUFU IN VICTORIA FALLS
Under-fire Warriors coach Michael Nees faces an uncertain future after managing only two wins since taking charge of the national team, with ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi revealing that the coach’s fate will be decided this week following Zimbabwe’s humiliating defeat to Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
Speaking at the CEO Africa Roundtable in Victoria Falls yesterday, Magwizi said the ZIFA technical committee, chaired by Tafadzwa Benza, had already begun a comprehensive review of the Warriors’ performance amid mounting pressure from fans for Nees’ dismissal.
“I hate losing as well. So as a consequence of that, of course, it’s always important, as CEOs, you do measure. Performance management is one of the things that, of course, we have introduced at ZIFA,” Magwizi said.
He explained that the committee met yesterday to assess Nees’ performance, scrutinize the team’s tactical setup, and establish the root causes of the Warriors’ dismal showing in the qualifiers.
“We have the technical committee, which is chaired by one of my colleagues, Tafadzwa Benza. He’s actually chairing a meeting right now (yesterday evening), as I speak, together with all the other members of that committee, doing a performance management process, or rather, a review of our performance and, of course, trying to understand what went wrong, where, and why,” Magwizi said.
He said the findings of that review will be presented to the ZIFA Executive Committee, which he chairs, before a final decision is made on the German coach’s future.
“And of course, that report will be submitted to the executive committee, which I chair, at which point, of course, the findings will be made public,” Magwizi said.
While he acknowledged the frustration among fans following the Warriors’ poor run of form, Magwizi said the association would not act hastily, stressing that any decision on Nees would be guided by a structured performance review.
“I think what is important for us as a brand is, of course, to ensure that our processes are transparent. It’s not knee-jerk reactions. But we look into the issues and, of course, have a systematic way of reviewing ourselves as we go forward,” he said.
Since taking over the Warriors job, Nees has struggled to inspire results, securing only two victories in all competitions. His tactical approach and team selections have drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike, with many questioning whether the coach understands the local football landscape.
Magwizi, who has emphasized the need to professionalize ZIFA’s operations since taking office, said performance-based management will now be central to all national football programs.
“Very disappointing that we lost matches, I know,” he admitted. “But we have to look at everything — the planning, the coaching, and even the administrative side — to make sure that we are building something sustainable.”
The upcoming ZIFA executive committee meeting will therefore be decisive for Nees, whose short and turbulent tenure may be nearing its end. Whether the German survives the axe or becomes another casualty in Zimbabwe’s long list of short-lived national coaches will depend on the findings of the review — and ZIFA’s resolve to back its reform rhetoric with action.
