HARARE – Highlanders head coach Baltemar Brito is set to take over as Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team interim coach after the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) nomination committee has found him suitable to assume the top Warriors job.
In correspondence to his employers, ZIFA requested the release of the Portuguese from the premiership giants to take up the demanding job.
“The Nomination Committee would like to request your Executive permission to engage one of your employees in the name of Brito Baltemar Jose Oliveira for a possible appointment as the interim Senior Men National Team Coach,” ZIFA wrote.
“Whereas he indicated he is a permanent employee of your esteemed organisation, it is in that light of integrity we hereby pray you shall find it beneficial to release him for the envisaged national duty during their interim nomination period.”
Brito, appointed Highlanders coach last year, has had an impressive run in charge of the Bosso dressing room, leading the premiership giants to a 19-game unbeaten run this season.
Highlanders chairman Johnfat Sibanda said they will not stand in the way of the coach if he has been found to be the best to take charge of the national team.
“This is an honour to us Highlanders and a huge seal of approval to the entire system.
“We take this with pride hence our non-hesitation to agree to have the coach take up this huge responsibility of driving our senior national team as it resumes its duties after the unfortunate suspension by FIFA,” he said.
Brito is set to steer the ship as Zimbabwe resumes the long hunt for its first ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup finals.
Zimbabwe is in Group C in the qualifying campaigns alongside continental giants Nigeria, neighbours South Africa, Benin, Lesotho and Rwanda.
His first assignment is an away match against Rwanda November this year.
