HARARE – Sunday Chidzambwa quit as Zimbabwe coach on Wednesday, a few days before the Warriors play Mauritius in the opening round of the 2019 African Nations Championship qualifiers.

Chidzambwa took the morning training session with players called into camp on Wednesday, but did not speak to reporters.

The 67-year-old later issued a statement announcing his immediate resignation, but offered no reasons for his decision.

“This letter serves to  notify you of my decision to resign from the position of coach of the Zimbabwe men’s national football team with immediate effect… I wish to convey my profound gratitude to the association for the time that I have served as the national team coach,” Chidzambwa said in the letter addressed to ZIFA president Felton Kamambo.

Chidzambwa, who has had several spells as national team coach, has been at the helm since December 2017. He secured Zimbabwe’s qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, but Zimbabwe failed to get out of the groups after defeats to hosts Egypt (1-0) and the DRC (4-0). Zimbabwe managed just a point against Uganda.

It is unclear who will be in charge when Zimbabwe travel to Mauritius on Sunday. The fate of Chidzambwa’s assistants Rahman Gumbo and Lloyd Mutasa was unclear on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe’s CHAN Squad

Goalkeepers: Donavan Bernard (Chicken Inn), Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Talbert Shumba (Chapungu), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum).

Defenders: Lawrence Mhlanga (FC Platinum ), Partson Jaure (Manica Diamonds), Ian Nekati (ZPC Kariba), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Harare City), Byron Madzokere (Yadah), Xolani Ndlovu (Chicken Inn), Qadr Amini (Ngezi Platinum), Frank Mukarati (Ngezi Platinum), Donald Dzingai (Triangle), Peter Muduhwa (Highlanders)

Midfielders: Ralph Kawondera (Triangle), Kudzai Chigwida (Triangle), Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum), Nqobizita Masuku (Highlanders), Innocent Mucheneka (Chicken Inn), Richard Hachiro (Herentals), Donald Teguru (Ngezi Platinum), Never Tigere (FC Platinum), Blessing Sarupinda (CAPS United), Leeroy Mavunga (Yadah), Phinias Bhamusi (CAPS), Ian Nyoni (Chapungu), Malvern Gaki (Chicken Inn), Nigel Makumbe (ZPC Kariba), Ronald Chitiyo (CAPS United), Josta Ngodzo (CAPS United)

Strikers: Clive Augusto (Chicken Inn), Evans Katema (Dynamos), Prince Dube (Highlanders), Aubrey Chirinda (Chicken Inn)