Zifa boss faces expulsion

Raymond Jaravaza
THE end of the road?

Zimbabwe Womenaï¿½ï¿½s Football boss Samukeliso Silengane aï¿½ï¿½ who was kicked out of the Cosafa Womenaï¿½ï¿½s Championshipaï¿½ï¿½s local organising committee (LOC) aï¿½ï¿½ could be in deeper trouble if Zifa goes ahead and press charges against her for allegedly bringing the game of football into disrepute.

Silengane was given marching orders from the Cosafa LOC a few days before the regional womenaï¿½ï¿½s football tournament kicked off in Bulawayo.

Charges against Silengane are that she approached potential Cosafa Womenaï¿½ï¿½s Championships service providers promising to get them business in return for aï¿½?kickbacksaï¿½?.

The alleged plan to milk service providers backfired when complaints against her conduct were laid to the LOC chairman and Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda.

Sibanda reacted swiftly by booting her out.

But leaving the Cosafa Womenaï¿½ï¿½s Championships unceremoniously is the least of her problems, according to a well informed mole privy to the case which Zifa has taken a keen interest in.

aï¿½?Zifa will wait until the Cosafa tournament is over and then go after her. Sibanda and the Zifa president (Philip Chiyangwa) want to protect the integrity of Cosafa so the allegations against Silengane will be fully investigated after the tournament.

aï¿½?Local women football falls under Sibandaaï¿½ï¿½s portfolio so he wouldnaï¿½ï¿½t want to set a wrong precedent that corrupt administrators can walk scot free,aï¿½? said a source.

Chiyangwa is also Cosafa president.

If a full investigation by Zifa into the bribery allegations is launched and Silengane is found guilty, she could lose her position in the Zimbabwe Womenaï¿½ï¿½s Football executive.

Transport and security companies (names withheld) that she allegedly approached and asked for aï¿½?kickbacksaï¿½? in exchange for business are said to be ready to co-operate with Zifa.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said the Cosafa LOC was focusing all its energy on hosting a seamless tournament so any pending issues would be shelved, for now.

aï¿½?She was served with a letter of suspension but Iaï¿½ï¿½m afraid I cannot go into detail on why she is no longer part of the local organising committee. We are focusing on hosting a successful tournament so any issues will be looked into at a later stage,aï¿½? said Gwesela.

Zifa told the media just before Silenganeaï¿½ï¿½s suspension companies must only deal with their marketing committee following reports that unidentified individuals were soliciting for funding on behalf of the association. .