Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa has pulled out of the 2018 Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA) set for next month.

The gaffer was nominated for the Coach of the year accolade along with national rugby sevens team coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba and Lloyd Makunde who is the national netball side mentor.

However, the nomination sparked controversy last week by the way Chidzambwa’s name was squeezed into the final three after rowing coach Rachel Davis was deemed ineligible because she is a South African even though she won the same gong three years ago.

According to the Herald, Chidzambwa has asked the organisers of the awards not to consider him for the accolade as he wants to put his focus on the national team preparations ahead of the crucial Afcon qualifier against Congo Brazzaville in four weeks time.

“I am not the kind of person who is chasing awards but someone who is trying to achieve something for his country and, right now, all the focus is on us getting that result, we want to qualify for the next AFCON finals in Egypt,” said Chidzambwa.

“Our big game, which will decide our fate, is just around the corner and this is a crucial period for us because we have so many things on our plate, looking at the players who should be considered, monitoring the form of our players and also hoping that injuries don’t rob us of our main players.”

Chidzambwa lost one competitive match in the seven games the Warriors played in 2018. He also guided the team to the sixth COSAFA Cup title.