HARARE - On an eventful day for Zimbabwe Cricket, the board announced yesterday it has appointed Stephen Mangongo head coach of the national side with Brendan Taylor relinquishing the captaincy of the limited overs to all-rounder Elton Chigumbura.
ZC also confirmed the retirement of chairman Peter Chingoka, who stepped down on the same day after 22 years at the helm.
Andy Waller, who was being deputised by Mangongo as his assistant coach, has been “promoted” to the role of director of coaching within the Zimbabwe set-up.
The Daily News exclusively reported the changes last week.
Meanwhile, Chingoka has been replaced by his deputy, Wilson Manase, a lawyer from Harare with no recognised cricket background.
“The Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Chairman, Mr Peter Farai Chingoka, retired as the Board Chairman and as a Board member on his own accord at the ZC Board meeting of the 24th of July 2014,” read a Zimbabwe Cricket statement.
“In his parting remarks he indicated that his decision was based on the need to have a well-defined succession plan in which it had been agreed that a year before his term he would step down and assist the incoming Chairman. He will therefore impart his knowledge based on experience both locally and on the international scene and at times undertake missions assigned by the Board upon request.
“The Board immediately appointed Mr Wilson Tatenda Manase as Chairman who has been Vice Chairman for the past 4 years and Mrs Maureen Kuchocha, a Sports degree graduate and administrator as Vice Chairperson. This is in recognition of the steps taken in Women’s Cricket and the need for gender balance.”
The team changes, meanwhile, have been made with immediate effect, and will see Mangongo take over the team for the upcoming tour by South Africa and Australia.
Chigumbura, who resigned as captain in 2011 to concentrate on his own game, will now lead again in the ODI and Twenty20 formats, while Taylor retains captaincy of the Test side.