adminpassports should represent Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe are set to defend their title as African champions but events in the Sables camp have been messy since the end of 2012 and now everything has exploded.
Following the sacking of 13 players, the Sports Commission yesterday told The Herald that players with foreign passports will not be allowed to represent Zimbabwe.
This means the Sables are going to have an even more depleted side for their trip to Madagascar where they hope to defend their title as African champions and remain with a chance of making it for the 2015 World Cup set for England.
At least 12 players signed a petition against team manager, Losson Mtongwiza, who they accuse of interfering in technical issues and influencing team selection instead of listening to the players’ concerns and addressing player welfare issues.
Tichaona Chidongo, Costa Dinha, Cleoapas Makotose, Tichafara Makwanya, Kuda Chiwanza, Gavin Nyawata, Tino Chikobvu, Tangai Nemadire, Gardner Nechironga, Zvikomborero Murangari, Jakov Jakov and Lungile Tshuma are the players that signed the petition.
While 13 players were chased from camp on Wednesday by Sables committee chairman Bongai Zamchiya, at least four players are believed to be holders of foreign passports and include Jakov, Peit Joubert, Jan Ferreira and Boyd Rous.
Sports Commission director of sport development, Joseph Muchechetere, yesterday said according to the current Sports Commission statutory instruments, holders of foreign passports should not be allowed to be part of any Zimbabwe sporting side.
“If a holder of any foreign passport is to play sport in Zimbabwe, they need to have a work permit stating the clubs they are affiliated to and this permit only applies to clubs.
“When it comes to district, provincial or national team, only those that hold the legal Zimbabwean passports or are citizens of this country are allowed to participate at such a level.
“They (players with foreign passports) are not allowed to represent the country because our guidelines state that only Zimbabwean citizens can do so,” said Muchechetere.
ZRU president, John Falkenberg, yesterday told The Herald that vice-president Colleen de Jong was working with the Sables technical committee in making sure that no foreign passport holder would travel with the side.
However, the ZRU yesterday issued a statement in which they said they will stick to Mtongwiza for this tour as the players’ grievances came at “an inappropriate time” leaving the Union without time to act on the players’ concerns.
“The inability by these players to raise this issue with the Union at an appropriate time has left the Union with no choice but to support the current management team in their quest to defend their crown as African champions.
“The Zimbabwe Sables last performed in Dubai in December 2012, however, the grievances were only submitted in writing with the Union on July 3, four days before the team depart for Madagascar.
“The players who have made themselves unavailable for training are subsequently not allowing the national selectors an opportunity to consider them for selection.
“If players are not preparing for the Africa Cup with the rest of the team, they cannot be expected to be selected,” read part of the letter.
The travelling part is set to be named this evening at Old Hararians and the ZRU also indicated that they will appoint a board of enquiry that will look into the players’ concerns.
Online Reporter