The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced the appointment of Michael Nees as the new head coach of the Zimbabwe Men’s National Team.
The 57-year-old German will lead the Warriors in their quest for success in the AFCON 2025 and FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Michael Nees brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished background to the role. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence from Germany and an M.A. degree in Sports Science, Performance Physiology, and Ethnology from the prestigious University of Heidelberg. Additionally, he has acquired a coaching qualification in “Life Kinetik,” a unique training methodology introduced to football by former Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp.
Over the past 25 years, Nees has held elite coaching and technical leadership positions across CAF, UEFA, and AFC. He has guided various national teams in over 200 international matches. Notably, in 2005 and 2006, he was part of the support staff for the England National Team during the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany, under the auspices of FIFA.
Nees’s extensive experience includes serving as the Head Coach of the Rwanda Senior Men’s National Team and the Director of Coaching and Education at the South African Football Association (SAFA). His deep knowledge of the African football landscape and his innovative approach are expected to provide a significant advantage in the upcoming AFCON qualification campaign.
“I am a modern and innovative coach who is driven by international challenges and who can think outside the box to gain a competitive advantage. Without a doubt, the Warriors always have great players and massive team potential, but they need to avoid being too predictable to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and the African Cup of Nations. I am confident in achieving these goals because I have the expertise to professionally enhance all major factors of performance and to make a difference within a short period. I will guide the national team with dedication and professionalism, and work to achieve a winning Zimbabwe that can make the nation proud,” said Michael Nees.
ZIFA Chairman of the Normalisation Committee, Lincoln Mutasa, expressed his confidence in Nees’s appointment. “ZIFA is confident that Michael Nees’s appointment will usher in a new era of success for the Warriors. His vast experience, combined with his innovative coaching style, makes him the ideal candidate to lead our national team to new heights,” Mutasa said.
