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Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zifa executive committee meets in Harare today to deliberate on, among other issues, the lifting of various sanctions that were imposed on individuals accused of involvement in the Asiagate scandal.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela confirmed that the newly constituted national association’s board will hold its second executive committee meeting today, but declined to reveal the agenda.
However, Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa issued a statement last week indicating that they would deliberate on the Asiagate issue that saw a number of players, officials and media personnel being sanctioned by the previous board.
He said they were keen to put the shameful Asiagate issue to rest.
“We understand some players, officials and journalists were banned for their alleged role in the Asiagate scandal. We feel it is prudent to review such sanctions and unite members of the football fraternity,” Chiyangwa told the Zifa website last week.
Some football heavyweights, such as former Zifa chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya and former Highlanders’ prolific striker Zenzo Moyo, might all find themselves free persons by the end of the Zifa meeting today.
Apart from the Asiagate issue, the executive committee is likely to get an official update on the Warriors’ preparations for the African Nations Championship (Chan) that runs from January 16 to February in Rwanda.
What might be of worry to the Zifa board is the increasing likelihood of coach Callisto Pasuwa’s boys heading to Rwanda without playing any friendly match.
On the financial front, the committee’s nerves have been calmed by Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s undertaking to take care of the Warriors’ expenses, including player bonuses, for the duration of their stay in the Great Lakes region.
derick.khumalo