Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is in discussions with former national team coach, Steve Mangongo with the view to appoint him head of the national Under-19 technical team.
BY KEVIN MAPASURE
Mangongo had a seven month spell as the senior side coach last year before he was replaced by Dav Whatmore following a series defeat to Bangladesh.
With the age-group World Cup coming up next year in Bangladesh, ZC has moved to appoint the technical staff for the team, which has since begun its preparations.
A ZC source yesterday said Mangongo had been contacted about the possibility of taking the job, but the coach expressed his reservations at the structures and environment to produce results.
ZC board members have reportedly already agreed among themselves to give Mangongo the job.
It is believed Mangongo met with ZC board chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani and aired concerns about the feeder structures, since in his view, development and schools cricket were both ailing.
“He is interested in the job, but he has a few concerns about the feeder structures and what can be achieved from the resources available,” said the source.
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“He also raised the issue of the technical staff that he looked forward to working with. Basically, he wants ZC to create an environment where he thinks he can work and achieve results with the team.”
The source suggested that ZC had spoken to a number of former players as the board sought the right people to assist Mangongo.
Some of the names that have come up include former national team spin bowler Ray Price, Tino Mawoyo, Stuart Matsikenyeri, and Walter Chawaguta, among others.
Mawoyo has been struggling with an injury, but has used the time on the sidelines to acquire his coaching badges.
Of late he has been working more in the commentary box, but is interested in getting serious with a coaching career.
The Under-19 team has been practising under the guidance of Chawaguta, but it was reported that there has been a proposal to thrust in Gavin Ewing, Andy Blignaut and Alester Maregwede.
It looks like the new ZC board has decided against endorsing a proposal to appoint Ewing as coach, Maregwede as assistant with Blignaut coming in as bowling coach.
Zimbabwe lost some of its best talents in that age group after some players were offered scholarships in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
It would be difficult to lure some of the players back to come and play for the Under-19.
While there have been proposals for the franchise coaches, there has been nothing on the Zim A technical stuff despite that they have a number of matches lined up until the end of the year.
Zim A will play Ireland in a four-day match as well as hosting Bangladesh A.
