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Harare Bureau
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders will have to continue on the sidelines of continental football after the Confederation of African Football ruled that their three-year ban from any inter-club competition remains in force. Zifa had written to Caf enquiring on Highlanders’ status ahead of Bosso’s participation in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final showdown against How Mine at Barbourfields tomorrow.
Highlanders’ three year-ban for declining to participate in the Confederation Cup when they had already been registered, began in 2012 and is expected to finish at the end of next year.
But after serving two years, the Bulawayo giants had been hoping for a waiver on the last year of the suspension which would enable them to return to the continental game next season in the event that they win the Mbada Cup against How Mine on Saturday.
Caf however dealt Bosso a blow when they indicated through a response to Zifa that the suspension would remain in force.
The continental body’s acting director of the competitions division Shereen Arafa told Zifa that the Bosso ban was in line with standing Confederation Cup regulations and the Bulawayo giants would have to serve their full punishment for withdrawing from playing against Zambian outfit Nchanga Rangers in 2011.
With Caf having set 30 November as the deadline by which clubs should be registered for the Champions League and the Confederation Cup, Zifa had sought clarification on Highlanders fate but the insistence by the continental body means How Mine have become eligible even before they have taken to the field at Barbourfields tomorrow.
Zifa Communications manager Xolisani Gwesela revealed the developments on Bosso’s fate and acknowledged that their efforts had been in vain.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association would like to inform the football fraternity and the nation that Highlanders FC is not eligible to participate in Caf inter-club competitions until 2015.
“We have received confirmation from Caf to the effect that it is not possible to engage Highlanders to take part in Caf Inter-club competitions for 2014,” said Gwesela.
For the 2011 competitions, Highlanders had been drawn to play Nchanga Rangers of Zambia in the preliminary round while 2010 Premiership champions Motor Action played Cnap Sports of Madagascar at the same stage in the Champions League.
“Caf cited that in 2011, Highlanders withdrew from matches No.21 and 22: Highlanders (Zimbabwe) vs. Nchanga (Zambia) in the Caf Confederation Cup.
“Consequently, Highlanders FC were found guilty of violating Chapter V, Article 13 of the Confederation Cup regulations which stipulates that: “every club withdrawing from the competition after the establishment of the fixtures will be forbidden from participating in all Caf inter-club competitions for three years following its withdrawal.
“Highlanders had approached Zifa to appeal to Caf on their behalf to have the ban reversed but it was to no avail. So in adherence to the said article, Highlanders FC remain suspended for three years following the withdrawal namely, 2012, 2013 and 2014,” said Gwesela.
As was largely expected, it now means How Mine are now eligible to take part in the Confederation Cup if they accept the offer.
Mbada Diamonds have also set aside a subsidy for the team that will represent Zimbabwe in the Confederation Cup.
How Mine might have been Premiership debutants this year but a closer look at the club reveals a squad full of experienced players some of whom have played Confederation Cup and Champions league football before.
Gwesela said Zifa had asked the Premier Soccer League to secure confirmation from their member clubs on who will be representing Zimbabwe in the two competitions.
“We have written to our affiliate, the PSL, to confirm to the association the two teams that are going to take part in Caf inter-club competitions 2014.
“The association has also asked PSL to check on the preparedness of the two teams to participate in the said competitions,” said Gwesela.
How Mine secretary James Zibowa yesterday said they would meet as an executive before approaching their sponsors Metallon Gold on the issue while Dynamos were still seeking the green light from their sponsors BancABC before confirming their participation.
DeMbare and BancABC executives are expected to meet in the capital today to thrash out a fresh deal in which the financial institution is expected to bankroll the Glamour Boys again.
Although Caf have asked associations to submit representatives for 2014 by tomorrow, the clubs will have up to the end of December to submit their squad list to the Cairo-based body.
A statement from Caf asked all its affiliates to confirm their representatives in the inter-club competitions this weekend.
“All affiliated national associations per the inter-club regulations have a deadline of 30th November 2013 to confirm their clubs engagements in the Caf inter-club competitions (Orange Caf Champions League and Orange Caf Confederation Cup) for the season 2014.
“Any association which wishes to participate in the competitions shall send to the Caf secretariat an application accompanied by the admission fee of $300, and the application must reach Caf by mail, fax or e-mail not later than the 30th of November 2013,” read a statement from Caf.
“For the players’ registrations, a complete list of maximum 30 players must be registered or submitted to the Caf secretariat before 31 December 2013. It can be amended, but after January 15 next year, the list becomes final and no new players can be added nor replaced.
However, national associations which registered less than 30 players earlier in January may be allowed to complete their list to 30 players after the 1-8th round (between 1st July and 5th August 2014) provided the additional list does not exceed seven new players,” said Caf in their notice.
Despite waiting on their sponsors, Dynamos have already tasked coach Callisto Pasuwa to put together his proposals to beef up his squad for the Champions League.
After a fine start to life in the Premiership, How Mine are also likely to fancy their chances of doing well in the Confederation Cup.
Despite the huge costs involved in playing in Africa, Zimbabwean clubs would need to use continental inter-club competition to measure their progress or lack of it as the Champions League and the Confederation are played at a different level.
Online Reporter