adminBut as things stand the team is non-existent following the suspension of over 80 players last week, most of whom made the bulk of the side. Coach Norman Mapeza is also likely to be asked to stand aside as he was fingered in the Asiagate report.
The Warriors are set to play host to Burundi in a preliminary round qualifier first leg match in three weeks and with fears over the team’s preparations rising, the board has called an emergency meeting today to discuss plans for the game.
According to a release by the association, the Afcon qualifier will be the main item on the agenda.
Zifa board member competition Benedict Moyo yesterday gave assurances to the nation that the current clean-up exercise will not hamper the Warriors’ campaign for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“The status quo remains because we are yet to meet as a board to chart the way forward. But I must assure the nation that everything is under control,” said Moyo.
“We must not press the panic button thinking that there is no national team. The team is there because it’s not like we are dealing with a club, which has a limited number of players. This is the national team of a country of more than 14 million people we are talking about. We believe there are many players out there who can represent the nation well.”
Zimbabwe are set to face Burundi in a mid-week fixture on 29 February and then play the return match away over the weekend of 15-17 June.
Moyo said he was confident Zimbabwe will get over their problems and are looking forward to the match against Burundi. Zifa technical director Dieter Klaus-Pagels has been tipped to take over the duties in the interim. Moyo, however, said they are hoping to have a competitive technical team for the game.
“In the interest of the nation we are going to put in place the best technical team possible and the coaches will be known soon.
“A good coach will never complain about issues of time. I think there is enough time for a coach to look around for players for this game. I have been a coach before and I know the demands.
“That is why Fifa give five days for coaches to work on their teams for international assignments. So we must not worry,” said Moyo.
Incumbent Warriors coach Mapeza is keeping his cards close to his chest and has avoided making comments to the media over the issues surrounding Zimbabwean football.
Just like the players who have been slapped with suspensions pending investigations Mapeza is also likely to be asked to step aside to clear his name.
His assistant, Joey Antipas, will also be ordered to step aside and to clear his name.
Antipas travelled to matches in Asia while Mapeza led a team at the Cecafa tournament in Kenya in 2010.
Zifa expect the Justice Ebrahim-led Independent Disciplinary Commission to complete its work by the middle of next month, and should Mapeza and Antipas be cleared, they will resume their jobs with the Warriors.
Online Reporter