Zimbabwe coach, captain quit after Gabon debacle

Zimbabwe coach Callisto Pasuwa has resigned from his post following the Gabon debacle in which his charges were condemned to the bottom of the log in Group B at the African Cup of Nations tournament.

Team captain Willard Katsande also quit international football and will now concentrate on club football at South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs after the Warriors failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

Pasuwa announced his resignation to The Herald newspaper prior to the team's departure from Gabon a day after the Warriors slumped to a 4-2 defeat to Tunisia and another 2-0 drubbing by Senegal four days earlier.

The Warriors only managed one point in a 2-2 draw with Algeria in the first match on Jan. 15.

This was Zimbabwe's worst performance at the finals after two previous appearances in 2004 and 2006 produced winners even though they failed to qualify for the knockout stages.

Pasuwa took responsibility for the poor showing and decided to quit.

"As the head coach I take full responsibility for our performance in Gabon and I thus tender my resignation from the post of Zimbabwe senior men's coach," he said.

Pasuwa endured a two-year stint that was characterized by tiffs with the soccer mother body the Zimbabwe Football Association, a lengthy non-payment of his wages and shambolic travel arrangements for his team during the AFCON qualifiers.

Many fans blamed the coach for the poor showing and accused him of poor selection and playing some of his charges out of position.

Skipper Katsande called time on his international career and told The Herald that he believed that it was time for new blood to be infused into the team.

"For me, personally, it was a good experience. I feel it is now time for the youngsters. I feel I need to give way to the youngsters to carry the team forward," he said. Endit