adminSikhumbuzo Moyo
IN a dramatic turn of events, Zifa have distanced themselves from the list of 19 Player Agents that appears on the official Fifa website (fifa.com).
With Zimbabwe previously having 31 agents, speculation has been rife that the other 12 had been deregistered after failing to meet set conditions.
Some of the conditions are that agents who make money out of the game without investing in it should pay $5 000 to Zifa, pay for a professional indemnity policy and go for a re-write of agents’ examinations every five years.
Some of the names that are now conspicuous by their absence include Lindela Tshuma, Erasmus Makodza and Omega Sibanda who is also the Zimbabwe Player Agents Association chairman.The latest revelation has compounded problems for Zifa which is yet to finalise the illegal voting process that took place for the World Player of the Year.
“Zifa did not send any names to Fifa,” said the association’s communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
He claimed that the association did not know how those names were sent to Fifa and by who raising the possibility of another investigation being launched.
Investigations were instituted after the World Player of the Year voting process when the then Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo and his captains Tapuwa Kapini and Esrom Nyandoro denied voting.
Zifa technical director Nelson Matongorere’s name appeared as both the Warriors coach and captain.
Gwesela said the correct position of Player Agents will be known after the 2014 Fifa congress but said all agents should be in good standing with the national associations in terms of a professional liability insurance policies.The Zifa communications manager refused to confirm the number of agents that have so far met the insurance requirement, choosing to say; “at the moment, we have no comment.”
Meanwhile, Zifa is still not coming out clear on the issue of agents’ re-examination although Fifa seems to insist that article 17 was still in force.
According to the article, an agent’s licence expires after five years from the date of issue after which the agent shall send a written application to the relevant association to re-sit the examination before the date on which his or her licence is due to expire.
If the players’ agent does not send a written application to re-sit the examination within five years of the date of issue of the licence, his licence shall be automatically suspended.
Chronicle Sport last week sent questions to the world soccer motherbody on the contentious issue on what should a player agent do especially after the expiry of his or her licence.
“Please note that as per article 17 of the Regulations Players’ Agents: The licence expires five years after its date of issue,” responded Fifa through an e-mail.
List of agents according to the Fifa official website.
Fortune Chisale (Harare), Mark Gamanya (Harare), Hatidani Gomba (Harare), Bernard Gwarada (Harare), Phillemon Machana (Harare), Bongani Mafu (Bulawayo), Gibson Mahachi (Harare), Winston Makamure (Harare), Stanley Makombe (Harare), Jimmy Makombe (Harare), Mapeza Kennedy (Harare), Douglas Matizanhau (Harare), Msongelwa Ndlovu (Harare), Martin Nyamupingidza (Harare), Osborn Chiukuseh (Harare), Pedzai Sakupwanya, (Harare), Samson Christopher (Harare), Mutandinga Simunyu (Harare), Ashy Taraboletti (Harare).
Online Reporter