ZIFA Appoints New Head Coaches For Warriors, Mighty Warriors

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has appointed Ramon Catala as the new Warriors head coach and Stella Gotal as head coach of the Mighty Warriors.

The appointments are part of a wider technical overhaul covering all national teams.

Catala, who is Spanish, has worked with Dynamo Kyiv’s academy and has coaching experience in Libya.

He takes over the Warriors at a crucial time, with Zimbabwe preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign which starts next month.

He will be assisted by fellow Spaniard Marc Sanchez, who has also been appointed head coach of the Under-23 side, and CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi.

Gotal, who is Croatian, takes charge of the Mighty Warriors, replacing Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda.

She holds a UEFA Pro licence and most recently worked with Gibraltar’s senior women’s national team before stepping down in June 2026.

ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said the appointments are part of the association’s long-term plans under its Dream 2030 vision, which seeks to see Zimbabwe qualify for the next World Cup.

“These appointments are not just for immediate results, but we want to build towards our Dream 2030 Vision which we recently launched,” said Magwizi.

“We also want our football to have an identity; that can only happen if we have proper football structures from developmental level to senior level,” said Magwizi.

Here is the full list of the national team technical appointments announced by ZIFA:

Warriors
Head Coach: Ramón Catalá
Assistant Coach / U-23 Coach: Marc Sánchez
Assistant Coach: Takesure Chiragwi
Assistant Coach: Vicente Girona Izquierdo

Junior Men’s National Teams

U-23
Head Coach: Marc Sánchez
Assistant Coach: Wilson Mutekede

U-20
Head Coach: Kaitano Tembo
Assistant Coach: Max Makanza

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U-17
Head Coach: Tafadzwa Mashiri
Assistant Coach: George Mbwando

U-15
Head Coach: Backlyfield Chivenga
Assistant Coach: Alexio Sigion

Mighty Warriors
Head Coach: Stella Gotal
Assistant Coach: Arthur Gorejena

Junior Women’s National Teams

U-20
Head Coach: Rosemary Mugadza
Assistant Coach: Naison Muchakela

U-17
Head Coach: Jatson Maphosa
Assistant Coach: Thubelihle Sibanda

U-15
Head Coach: Irene Mwanza
Assistant Coach: Jacob Chavungama