Two SA-based coaches primed for positions in Zim’s new look technical team

By Far Post

SOUTH AFRICA: Two PSL coaches, Kaitano Tembo and Pernell McKop, have emerged as favourites to get key positions in what will be Zimbabwe Warriors’ new-look technical team.

Zimbabwe appointed German coach Michael Nees on 30 July on a two-year contract. He takes over from Jairos Tapera, who held fort on an interim basis during the most recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The 57-year-old coach was officially unveiled by the Zimbabwe Football Association in Harare on Thursday.

Nees spent some time in South Africa between 2008 and 2009 after coaching Rwanda and Seychelles national teams.

In his first word as ‘The Warriors head coach, Nees revealed he needed autonomy when it comes to team selection. The same applies with who he plans to work with in the technical team. As such, a lot of names have been thrown in the hat to be part of his technical team.

FARPost understands that Sekhukhune United senior coach Kaitano Tembo is one of the firm favourites for the assistant coach role.

Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper’s coach, Pernell McKop, is also primed to assume the goalkeeper’s coach role.

During the 2024 COSAFA Cup, McKop was in the Zimbabwe camp, training their team’s goalkeepers. McKop played for the Zimbabwe national team at both junior and senior levels as a goalkeeper. He was involved in the coaching of some of Zimbabwe’s best goalkeepers during the country’s Dream Team era.

However, Tembo and McKop’s availability will depend on whether Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC release them for national team duty.

In addition, Tembo has always been a wanted figure in the Warriors set-up. At some point, the former SuperSport United defender declared his interest in being the Zimbabwe coach.

However, when the vacancy was revealed, he did not apply for the job. He recently returned to the forefront as a senior coach at Sekhukhune United. Lehlohonolo Seema is the head coach of the ambitious club.