Mangongo sacked as Zimbabwe coach

Sport
STEPHEN Mangongo has been fired as Zimbabwe’s coach just eight weeks before the cricket World Cup. Mangongo’s dismissal comes after the team lost all eight fixtures on their recent Bangladesh tour, which included three Tests and five One Day Internationals (ODIs).

STEPHEN Mangongo has been fired as Zimbabwe’s coach just eight weeks before the cricket World Cup. Mangongo’s dismissal comes after the team lost all eight fixtures on their recent Bangladesh tour, which included three Tests and five One Day Internationals (ODIs).

No replacement has been announced, but Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) will hold interviews next week and unveil a new coach after Christmas.

Mangongo, who had been in the position for five months, will be redeployed to work with the national Under-19 side because the administration believes he is “good at identifying talent,” according to ZC chairman Wilson Manase.

The board announced Mangongo’s departure yesterday afternoon after a meeting. “The ZC board has decided to relieve Stephen Mangongo of his duties as head coach with immediate effect,” Manase said.

While Mangongo’s tenure included the notable success of Zimbabwe’s first ODI win over Australia in 31 years, he had faced criticism over his brusque coaching style and handling of players. Mangongo had replaced Andy Waller, who was moved out of position in July.

Waller was given an overseeing role in ZC, looking after cricket at all levels from age-group to the academy, and may come back into contention.

Givemore Makoni, Zimbabwe’s convenor of selectors and a man widely thought to be a key ally of Mangongo, retained his post, while it was announced that the selection panel would be widened to include the national coach, bowling coach Douglas Hondo, former team manager and long-serving administrator Babu Meman and the national captain.

— Cricinfo