With less than 24 hours after masterminding Zambia’s downfall in second match of the Africa Cup of nation (AFCON) qualifiers, Warriors interim coach Joey Antipas has tendered his resignation.
Antipas, who is also head coach of ambitious Castle Lager premiership side, Chicken Inn has been working with Harare City’s Lloyd Chitembwe and Dynamos Tonderai Ndiraya as his assistants with Tembo Chuma being the goalkeepers coach.
Reasons for his resignation could not be established, but sources close to this publication cited a busy schedule as well as commitment to his paymasters, Chicken Inn.
“I think Joey Antipas needs to give it all to his paymasters. The scenario that happened last week when the Warriors played Botswana here in Harare was not good at all. Antipas and other coaches and local based players had to break camp to be with their clubs for the league matches. Prince Dube for example had to hitch-hike to Zvishavane where Bosso played FC Platinum. On its own, it was an ugly and taxing moment. No coach or player would want to do that,” said the source close to Antipas.
However, football experts have called on the local football governing body, PSL to cancel all league matches whenever there is an international break, as is the norm worldwide.
“What is so special about our own league, they can’t organize league matches during the international break in the middle of two national team assignments. That was not necessary at all.
Contacted for comment, Zifa Communication manager Xolisani Gwesela said he was not in a position to comment on the issue as he had not received the communication that Antipas had resigned.
“I cannot comment for now because I haven’t received the communication that the coach has resigned,” Gwesela said.
Mafero, as Antipas is well-known in football circles started the AFCON qualifiers journey on a low note after playing a goalless draw against the Zebras of Botswana at home before clobbering Zambia in Lusaka last night.
