The Sunday News
Zimbabwe Football Association president Dr Phillip Chiyangwa says the country is not at risk of being expelled from Caf and Fifa competitions as the two bodies are being kept abreast of the developments in the country.
In a statement yesterday, Chiyangwa said national teams will participate in all international competitions they qualified for.
There are concerns Zimbabwe could be banished by world football governing body, Fifa over the recent botched efforts to dissolve Zifa and form a new association in the country.
Although Chiyangwa had announced the process was above board, the Sports and Recreation Commission and the Minister of Sports, Makhosini Hlongwane stated that due processes were not followed as advised by Fifa regarding the dissolution of Zifa hence it has not been deregistered and hence the new association, the National Football Association of Zimbabwe was illegal.
Chiyangwa was responding to reports that have emerged of a potential ban following a freeze in referees courses until the dissolution matter has been finalised.
On Friday our sister paper, Chronicle reported that Fifa refereeing co-ordinator Dominic Chielens wrote to Fifa referee development officer Carlos Henriques and other Fifa referees instructors, including Felix Tangawarima on 21 June, 2016 indicating that all courses for Zimbabwe had been put on hold until a new association had been established.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) is undergoing a voluntary dissolution process and a new association will be established in Zimbabwe. As it stands, Zifa’s participation in any current/future Fifa programmes is on hold until Fifa accepts the new association. The issue is being handled with the guidance of Fifa Corporate Legal,” Chielens was quoted as saying in an e-mail.
“This situation affects all educational courses (including referee courses). Any planned referees courses must be postponed until Fifa confirms the new organisation. Any Zifa personnel who you might have been in contact with have had their contracts terminated. We have agreed with the Zifa president that Fifa will contact the new association so that we can establish new dates for the various courses.”
Concerns were also raised over Zimbabwe participation in Caf competition with unnamed football sources stating a review is imminent. However, Chiyangwa said they were committed to ensuring all national teams fulfill their obligations.
“Our senior men’s national team, the Warriors, will participate in the momentous Gabon 2017 Orange Africa Cup of Nations finals while the senior women’s national team, the Mighty Warriors will participate in the historic Rio 2016 Olympics and the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon. The Mighty Warriors are currently in camp preparing for the Olympic games.
“We are confident that the legacy of this qualification will spur the growth of women football in Zimbabwe,” read the statement.
Chiyangwa, who is in France for the 2016 Euro finals said only the Under-17 national team has been withdrawn from the 2017 Orange U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to budgetary constraints.
He said going forward Zifa will assess the costs and benefits of participating in future international tournaments.
“It is imperative to stress that while it is important to participate in international competitions, we need to avoid partaking in competitions when there is no adequate funding. We are fully conscious of our mandate and shall never abdicate from our responsibilities,” said Chiyangwa.
- @rasmthembo
