Zimbabwe hires Michael Nees as soccer coach
- Zimbabwe has appointed Michael Nees, a coach from Germany, to lead the national soccer team.
- This decision follows a challenging start to their World Cup qualifying campaign without any wins.
- The hope is that Nees will bring a fresh perspective and effective strategies to improve the team's performance.
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — In a bid to rejuvenate its World Cup qualifying campaign, Zimbabwe has appointed German coach Michael Nees as the new head of its national soccer team. The announcement was made on Tuesday, following a disappointing start to the qualifiers, where the team has yet to secure a win. Nees, 57, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously coached Rwanda and served as the director of coaching in South Africa. His appointment was endorsed by Lincoln Mutasa, the interim head of the Zimbabwean Football Association, who highlighted Nees' extensive understanding of the African football landscape as a key factor in the decision. The Warriors, Zimbabwe's national team, face a significant challenge as they aim to turn around their fortunes in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers. Currently, the team has recorded four matches without a victory, opening their campaign with two draws against Rwanda and Nigeria, followed by losses to Lesotho and South Africa. Zimbabwe has never qualified for a World Cup, making this a critical juncture for the team and its new coach. Nees will need to quickly implement strategies to inspire the players and improve their performance as they seek to keep their World Cup dreams alive.