adminThe charismatic former Highlanders player, manager and chairman had his five year ban on all football activities for his involvement in the shamed Asia trips wholly suspended after being described as a credible witness by the investigating committee.
He was one of six people who went scot free, others being former Warriors assistant coach Joe Antipas, players Nyasha Mushekwi and Washington Arubi. Antipas had his five year ban wholly suspended while the two players who are now turning for South African sides Mamelodi Sundowns and Pretoria University had their one year bans also wholly suspended.
Maphepha’s ban lifting comes barely a few months after his three-year suspension from all Highlanders activities was also lifted after serving just a year. He was accused of misappropriating $3 000 from the sale of former striker Obadiah Tarumbwa.
Maphepha admitted to the charge and later reimbursed the club.
“I believe standing by the truth is what helped me as I never lied but said everything which I knew. I am really the happiest person alive today, even at Highlanders I stood by my word and abadala bangixolela,” said Sibanda.
He said soccer was part of him just like all the affected players some of whom, like Arubi and Mushekwi also received wholly suspended sentences.
“Having worked with these youngsters even at Highlanders, my heart really goes out to them and I celebrate together with Arubi and Mushekwi for they are now free as well. The only dark spot is however the banning of young men like Zenzo Moyo and Methembe Ndlovu,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda said if Moyo and Ndlovu have the resources, they should lodge an appeal through the normal football structures not the courts.
Zifa set an appeal fee of $6 000 which should be paid by end of business today.
On his future football plans, Maphepha said he will now revive The Maphepha Tournament in Gwanda in 2013 and did not rule out coming back to the Highlanders leadership but however said he will first consult some of his close allies.
“Bosso has always been my team and at the moment I cannot rule out anything although I have to consult before taking up any decision,” he said.
Highlanders will have elections for the post of vice chairman and treasurer next year.
Bantu Rovers director and former Under 20 head coach Ndlovu, former Warriors coach Norman Mapeza as well as Shabanie Mine mentor Luke Mazomere were given effective two year and six months bans respectively.
Masomere was the senior national team coach for their trip to Vietnam while Ndlovu was in charge of the Under 20 boys’ trip to China.
Mapeza went with the team to the Cecafa tournament.
Former senior team physiotherapist Lloyd Maungwa and team doctor Sachikonye had their one year bans suspended for two years.
A total of 60 players were handed fines ranging from $1 000 to $7 000 which should be paid by 31 December this year. Most of the players had one year bans which were suspended on condition they pay the fines by the prescribed date.
Hardest hit among the players was Pretoria University’s Lionel Mtizwa and former Highlanders midfield maestro Johannes Ngodzo who were fined a total of $ 7 000 and $4 000 respectively, all to be paid by the end of the year. Mtizwa received $3 000 fines for his part in the Vietnam trip, another $3000 for the Cecafa tour and $1 000 for the Merdeca Cup while Ngodzo was fined $3 000 for the Warriors’ trip to Vietnam and $1 000 for the Merdeca tournament trip.
Online Reporter