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We need a pathway for our football out of current void

CRANBORNE Bullets coach Nesbert Saruchera spoke for many Zimbabweans when he decried the country’s ban from international football, which he said is killing careers of local footballers. He had just watched a masterclass from Marlven Mudzuka, the lanky midfielder driving his team to victory over Green Fuel at the National Sports Stadium two weeks ago. “The boy is always like this. He is very exciting and we are hoping international football is back in Zimbabwe so that he can also play for Zimbabwe,” Saruchera said.

Local players, Saruchera observed, were good enough to play at the highest level, but they had no chance or window to showcase their skills to a broader audience because the country remains banned from international arena.

Zimbabwe has been in the football wilderness since February 24, 2022 over government interference after the Sports and Recreation Commission suspended an elected Zifa board in November 2021 over alleged financial misdemeanours.

As a result, local football teams have been frozen from international football, which has devastating effects on the careers of local players, a frustration shared by Saruchera and thousands of supporters.

A delegation from the world governing board visited the country last month where they met with stakeholders and reiterated that Zimbabwe will only be readmitted back into international football community when they comply with set conditions.

Fédération Internationale De Football Association (Fifa) sent a delegation comprising their representatives and representatives from Confederation of African Football and Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) on a fact-finding mission of the situation in the country.

Zimbabwe’s situation is unique, because when the Fifa delegation came, events had been overtaken by changed circumstances: a Zifa Restructuring Committee put in place by the SRC, which Fifa wanted gone, did not exist anymore.

The Zifa Council which allegedly ousted Felton Kamambo and two of his board members could not meet the delegation because their term of office had expired.

The term of office for Kamambo and his fellow board members had also expired.

The reinstatement of Kamambo and his board has been a key demand by Fifa, which they repeated at the recent congress in Rwanda which confirmed Zimbabwe’s suspension. So, how can Kamambo and team’s term said to have expired when they were barred from completing it?

Last week, SRC chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa said: “Things are progressing very well”, and that Fifa and his board were working on finalising a roadmap.

There is need for compromise from all parties for Zimbabwe’s football to move forward.

The country, supporters and especially the players, desperately need a resolution.

Editorial & Opinion

en-zw

2023-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://alphamedia.pressreader.com/article/281621014709236

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