Baltemar Brito appointed as Warriors gaffer

Highlanders’ head coach, Baltemar Brito, has officially been named as Zimbabwe’s National Soccer Team Head Coach until June 2024. He was widely expected to take on the role following a letter from Normalisation Committee Member, Rosemary Mugadza, that was leaked, asking Highlanders to release the coach for international assignments.

Brito has gained popularity due to the tremendous work he has done since taking over Highlanders last year. He led the team on a 19-game unbeaten run, which was only halted by FC Platinum. Now, trailing by just one point to log-leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars, Highlanders are strong contenders in the title race.

Brito will be supported by Dynamos Head Coach, Genesis Mangombe, and veteran gaffer, Bongani Mafu, who will serve as his deputies. Their first assignments will be an invitational match to celebrate Botswana’s Independence Day on September 30th, followed by creating a team to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November.

Although the newly appointed coaches will remain with their clubs, they will be called upon to serve when the national team has assignments.

The Normalisation Committee set the coach’s term of engagement to end at the same time as its mandate, giving the next board the opportunity to recruit its own coaches.

Zimbabwe is gearing up for World Cup qualifiers set to begin in November, and Brito and his assistants are aiming to deliver positive results that could position themselves for long-term stints with the Warriors.