The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has appointed Kaitano Tembo as the Warriors’ second assistant coach ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

Tembo, who is currently the head coach of development team of South African Premier Soccer League side Sekhukhune United, was officially unveiled in Harare during the announcement of the Warriors squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against South Africa and Lesotho.

His first assignment in the new role will come in those matches, with Zimbabwe set to face Bafana Bafana at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 October, before travelling to Polokwane to play Lesotho three days later at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The appointment marks Tembo’s first involvement with the national team in a coaching capacity. The former defender previously captained the Warriors during his playing career, representing the country in several international competitions.

Warriors coach Michael Nees expressed confidence that Tembo’s experience in the South African league and his knowledge of the game would strengthen the Warriors’ technical bench ahead of the AFCON campaign in Morocco this year.

“When I first came here last year, Kaitano was my preferred choice as assistant because I didn’t know many people at the time,” Nees said.

“We first met in 2003 while I was coaching Seychelles, and I also came to know him better during my years in South Africa as a technical director. He has gained a wealth of experience working in South Africa, which will be valuable for us.

“It was impossible to bring him on board last year because he still had commitments at his club. But when we were drawn in the same group as South Africa for the 2025 Afcon, I immediately thought of Kaitano again, and that’s why I decided to bring him in now.”