CAF president Patrice Motsepe admits they “have been missing Zimbabwe”

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has expressed joy with Zimbabwe’s return to the international fold after spending close to two years in the wilderness due to a FIFA suspension following alleged “third party interference”.

Zimbabwe faced the suspension in 2022 after the government arm, the SRC, suspended then ZIFA president Felton Kamambo and his board.

However, after persistent efforts and dialogue between the government and FIFA, Zimbabwe was readmitted to the international football family in July.

“I am excited I had a meeting with the chairman of the normalisation committee, (Lincoln Mutasa). We have been missing Zimbabwe in football.

“They have a good footballing legacy and we missed them. I am happy they are now back,” said Motsepe.

He emphasised: “I am happy that Zimbabwe is back home and football in Zimbabwe is (glorious).”

Added the Mamelodi Sundowns owner: “Some of the best players have come from Zimbabwe and played for Sundowns.

“Peter Ndlovu still works for Sundowns and I am so happy that Zimbabwe is back to international football. We were incomplete without Zimbabwe.”

Motsepe went on to share that the late Nelson Mandela, former South Africa President always expressed his excitement with Zimbabwe’s participation in African football.

“…even the late President Nelson Mandela was not happy when Zimbabwe was not involved in Africa (football).”