THE ZIFA board has temporary suspended the search for the next Warriors coach until they get a sponsor to take care of the coach’s salary needs.

The senior men’s national football side are without a coach after the national association decided not to renew Kallisto Pasuwa’s contract after the Warriors’ dismal show at this year’s Afcon finals.

Zifa however, are of the view that identifying potential candidates at this stage would be akin to putting the cart before the horse as the first thing is to get a sponsor for the coach’s pay before they can make a decision on the profile of the next Warriors coach.

Their previous sponsor, Wicknell Chivayo, who had undertaken to pay Pasuwa a monthly salary of $7 000 reneged on his pledge and the former Dynamos coach left his post with nine months’ salary arrears bill amounting to $63 000 over and above the association owing him close to $50 000 in several bonuses.

Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda, who is also in charge of all national teams confirmed to SportsZone that the association is seized with getting the coach’s salary sponsor and poured cold water on speculation linking several coaches with the job.

“There is no denying to the fact that for us to get a very good coach for the team we need to be in a position to pay well,” Sibanda said.

“But as it is its common knowledge that we are in a precarious financial position which is a bit crippling.

“However, I am pleased that this matter of funding the coach’s salary is close to my president’s (Philip Chiyangwa’s) heart and he is working on something which should be announced very soon.

“It is also important for the nation to note that the issue of the national team is a national cause where I appeal to all stakeholders and government to join hands and enable the association to mobilise a package that will get us the best possible coach.

“As for the coaches you mention as possible replacements, all I can say for now is our decision will be informed by the financial package that we will get,” he said.