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COACHES, administrators and players banned from football for a period of less than two years for their role in the Asiagate match-fixing scandal will be free to return to the game next season.
This was confirmed yesterday by Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela.
Among those set to benefit are former national coaches Methembe Ndlovu and Norman Mapeza.
Their punishment was with effect from 2011 when they were suspended.
Gwesela said they would have to wait for official communication from Zifa before they can take to soccer stadia.
“I can confirm that Ndlovu is free to coach and we have already communicated with him. We will be writing to everyone whose time is up so that they can go back to the soccer field and work.
“There could be technicalities here and there so it is important that they get it from us so that we ensure indeed they have complied with terms of their punishment,” said Gwesela.
Ndlovu served a two-year ban.
Mapeza who coached the Warriors was down for six months.
Others set to return to the game are national team physiotherapist Lloyd Maungwa and team medic Mordecai Sachikonye.
Gwesela could not commit himself on the issue of those who were supposed to receive suspended sentences on condition that they paid fines.
The Asiagate case is yet to be finalised by Fifa who are still looking at Zifa’s investigation with some players and coaches having challenged Zifa sanctions.
Zimbabwe coaches and players confirmed that they had been paid to lose matches in Asia between 2007 and 2010 in a syndicate masterminded by the former Zifa CEO Henrietta Rushwaya.
Online Reporter