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The soft-spoken utility player who was assistant coach at Quelaton until the bans were announced two weeks ago, says he did not travel to Bulgaria, China and the Cecafa tournament held in Kenya.
It appears it was a case of mistaken identity as Chicken Inn’s Danny Phiri who was with Bantu Rovers travelled as part of development teams to those three destinations.
Danisa said he did not travel to Bulgaria, China and the Cecafa tournament.
“I did not travel to those countries. I confirm that I went to Malaysia for the Merdeka Cup and Vietnam for the Agribank Cup. I was new in the national team set up and as such I did not see much. But what I still remember is that in one of the games we had Godfrey Japajapa on the bench.
“I will not say much as the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe have said I should remain silent on the case as they are representing me,” said Danisa.
Danny, a former member of the Young Warriors, was part of the development sides in 2008 and 2009 and travelled to Bulgaria, China and Kenya.
When asked about the likelihood of a mix up last week, Ndumiso Gumede, the Zifa vice-president said it was within the player’s rights to prove that he did not make the trips.
“He can present his case and the case can be reviewed,” said the veteran administrator.
Gumede headed the committee that conducted the initial investigations into Asiagate before the Independent Ethics Committee took over last year.
Both committees expressed disappointment at the fact that there were no records pertaining to the trips to Asia between 2007 and 2010. There are suspicions that the records could have been destroyed to conceal evidence.
Danisa was among 15 personalities banned for life. Some of the players he travelled with to those two tournaments seem to have got it light as they are in the five to 10 years category.
Zifa is expected to announce the names of the next batch of players being those to be banned for between seven and 10 years.
Zifa might have been prejudiced of close to a million dollars in appearance fees.
Zimbabwe’s ranking in the world during the time fell to over 120 with unknown players chosen ahead of deserving Warriors.
Online Reporter