adminZIFA will continue engaging Fifa over the Valinhos debt which saw the country being suspended from the preliminary round of the 2018 Wolrd Cup qualifying round.
Zimbabwe was given the red card after it failed to settle salary arrears owed to Zimbabwe Warriors former coach Valinhos.
Despite the lapse of a cut-off date issued by Fifa officials who were in the country this month, Zifa chief executive officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze told Sunday News Sports on Monday they were hopeful of a solution even if they failed to meet the 29 May deadline, adding it was simple an “ideal date that was not cast in stone’’.
Mashingaidze, who was in Zurich, Switzerland together with beleaguered Zifa president Cuthbert Dube and board member Tawengwa Hara for the elective Fifa congress, had indicated they would use the opportunity to negotiate with the world football governing body in efforts to secure funds to pay off the debt that stands at $81 000.
Zifa’s head of secretariat however did not say how they intended liquidating the debt to ensure the country went into the pot for the next World Cup qualifiers.
“As you are aware we will be going to Zurich for the Fifa congress and this will give us an opportunity to engage both Fifa and the creditor (Valinhos) as we still believe a solution is in sight. Efforts are underway to liquidate the debt but I cannot go into specifics at the moment,” said Mashingaidze.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa told our sister paper, Chronicle on Thursday they were still seized with the matter and the debt was still to be cleared.
Langa was optimistic a solution was in sight despite being told by Fifa officials Zifa had to clear the debt by the end of the month.
Langa was quoted saying: “We’re still seized with the matter. I wouldn’t want to say our dream is over; not yet. We’ll see what course of action we’ll take.”
However, with Zifa mired in debt and no clear source of income and the Government unlikely to bail out the football body, Zimbabwe is unlikely to find its way back into the pot for the world football fiesta’s draw that is scheduled for 25 July in Russia, the host country of the 2018 World Cup.
Zifa councillors are baying for Dube’s blood and after a failed attempt to dispose of him a fortnight ago, efforts are likely to be made to remove him in the next extra-ordinary general meeting which will be held by 15 June.
Dube was accused of protecting Mashingaidze whom most feel failed to inform the Zifa Assembly about Valinhos’ debt, which was not included in a list of Zifa creditors presented to the councillors.
Zifa has accrued a debt of over $6 million as it has failed to secure sponsorship and Government has not funded national team assignments.
Dube’s efforts to guarantee some of Zifa’s debts came back to haunt him when he had his property attached over monies owed to Pandhari Lodge recently.
Online Reporter