Browsing tag
There is a ray of hope for Zimbabwe to return to international football after a three member FIFA delegation set to resolve an impasse between the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) arrived in the country on Monday.
Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry has brought some hope to the country’s football fraternity who are unhappy at the suspension of Zimbabwe from all international football activities by FIFA following alleged third party interference by the government. The record seven time Olympic gold medal winner hinted that Zimbabwe’s ban by FIFA could be lifted in three weeks, although she was not specific.
World football governing body, FIFA has reportedly sent a six member delegation to Zimbabwe to discuss issues that are affecting the country’s football that led to an impasse between the suspended ZIFA board and the Sports and Recreation Commission.
Former Warriors fitness trainer and outspoken Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has backed the decision by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to suspend ZIFA boss Felton Kamambo and his board which led to a FIFA ban.
For a second time in a row, 199 FIFA members have unanimously voted ‘Yes’ to uphold the suspension of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) owing to government interference via the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
Highlanders FC defender Andrew “Tower” Mbeba (22) has bemoaned the FIFA ban saying it has affected a lot of young player’s ambitions of playing outside Zimbabwe. “My ambition is to play outside the country. But the (FIFA) ban has affected us so much especially us young players,” he said.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rejected an appeal made by the new ZIFA board led by Acting President Gift Banda to help Zimbabwe’s ban by FIFA get lifted.
National teams General Manager Wellington Mpandare has said he is confident that the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry will help Zimbabwe get its suspension lifted by the world football governing body, FIFA.
Despite serving a FIFA ban, Zimbabwe has been handed a huge relief by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group stage draw.
Former Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba believes he can improve the state of the game in the West African nation if he becomes the new boss of the country’s football federation (FIF).