By Anashe Murombedzi
World football governing body, FIFA has intervened in the ongoing ZIFA saga after giving the Sport and Recreational Commission a two-week ultimatum to reinstate the suspended ZIFA board.
The excitement about the Zimbabwe senior men football team, the Warriors’ participating at the Africa Cup of Nations set for Cameroon next month could be short lived if the SRC does not re-instate the suspended ZIFA board by the third of January.
In a correspondence to ZIFA this Tuesday, FIFA raised concern over the SRC’s interference in football matters which according to its statutes is deemed intrusion by a third party.
The letter confirmed that the SRC has not provided evidence to the allegations it raised against the suspended ZIFA Board and that the commission decided not to take part in an engagement that was pencilled for last week Tuesday, to iron out the sticking issues.
However, FIFA said it is committed towards stamping out corruption and other vices cited by the SRC as reasons for suspending the ZIFA Board.
The FIFA ultimatum comes on a day the Warriors technical department announced a provisional 30 man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and it remains to be seen whether Zimbabwe will be part of the cast in Cameroon given the latest turn of events.
The 30 man provisional squad is led by captain Knowledge Musona and also features young blood in Dynamos’ Bill Antonio and Panashe Mutimbanyoka of FC Platinum.
The squad should be trimmed to 28 as per new CAF regulations and ready for submission to on the 31st of December.
Earlier, National teams General Manager, Wellington Mpandare had confirmed that Warriors Coach Norman Mapeza will take charge of the national team in Cameroon, while there are also plans to lure star forward Khama Billiat back to the national team fold.
However, all these plans could come to naught if the SRC does not reinstate the ZIFA Board by the 3rd of January.
Warriors AFCON Squad:
Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari, Martin Mapisa, Talbert Shumba and Taimon Mvula.
Defenders: Peter Muduwa, Alec Mudimu, Takudzwa Chimwemwe, Jordan Zemura, Tapiwa Sibanda, Godknows Murwira, Frank Mukarati, Gerald Takwara, Teenage Hadebe, Bruce Kangwa and Onismor Bhasera.
Midfielders: Temptation Chiwanga, Kelvin Madzongwe, Bill Antonio, Thabani Kamusoko, Never Tigere, Kudakwashe Mahachi and Panashe Mutimbanyoka were named.
Strikers: Admiral Muskwe, Knox Mutizwa, Prince Dube, David Moyo, Knowledge Musona and Tinotenda Kadewere.
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