HARARE - Zifa took its first steps in rebuilding the Warriors by appointing the association’s technical advisor Klaus Dieter Pagels as interim coach.

The German takes over from Rahman Gumbo, who resigned last week after failing to guide the Warriors to next year’s African Nations Cup finals in South Africa.

Pagels will choose his assistants.

According to Zifa, Pagels will also be mandated to draw up a programme for friendly matches and scouting players in preparations for the resumption of 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association settled for the German coach, given the existing government-to-government cooperation which would see the association engaging a highly qualified coach in the shortest possible timeframe,” read a Zifa press statement.

Zifa also indicated that it will keep searching for a full-time Warriors coach.

“The Association will however, continue on a hunt for a highly qualified coach who should take charge of the senior national men’s future campaigns in the long term. A local coach with unquestionable potential and enthusiasm shall be recommended to work with Klaus Pagels as part of the Association’s capacity building and succession plan.”