Zittel makes Madagascar return

By Yasine Mohabuth

Zittel was an assistant coach at Bundesliga side 1860 Munich

German coach Gunter Zittel has returned to Madagascar to work as the technical director for the country's federation.

The 56-year-old led the national team for two months last year during their failed attempt to qualify for the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

Zittel has now signed a two-year contract within the framework of the German technical and cultural assistance to Madagascar to take charge of the development of the game in the country.

"I will come to Madagascar under the German sports development cooperation financed by the German Foreign Office," he told BBC Sport.

Zittel will also assist in the coaching of the national team which has been without a substantive coach since the sacking of Mickael Nivoson Andrianasy last month.

Franck Rajaonarisamba replaced Andrianasy on temporary following an unimpressive campaign for the 2010 tournament.

Zittel first official game in charge of the Barea will be on 7 September when they host Botswana before travelling to face Ivory Coast in Abidjan.

Madagascar are bottom of Group Seven with three points and they must win both matches to stand a chance of progressing to the second phase of the qualifiers.

Zittel previously worked as an instructor for the German Football Federation.

He also worked as an assistant coach at Bundesliga side 1860 Munich in the 1990s.