ZIFA president Felton Kamambo yesterday made sensational
claims, accusing his predecessor Philip Chiyangwa of allegedly being part of a
cartel that caused mayhem that stalked the Warriors’ 2019 AFCON finals
campaign.
The association’s emergency committee held a review meeting
yesterday where they resolved they would try to recall Chiyangwa from his post
as COSAFA president as the fallout between the two parties deepen.
Kamambo accused Chiyangwa of working with his former deputy
Omega Sibanda, board member Chamu Chiwanza and journalist Hope Chizuzu to
destabilise the Warriors’ ship.
The ZIFA president also announced the suspension of
Chiwanza on various allegations relating to his nomination for the post he
holds at the association and for his alleged role in the recent AFCON debacle.
Chiyangwa reacted furiously to the developments last night
and said he wasn’t just dismissing all the allegations laid against him, ‘‘with
the contempt they deserve, but I will also hold a Press conference to answer
every charge that has been laid against me.’’
Kamambo conceded that their biggest challenge, at the AFCON
finals, was dealing with demands from the players and said while they had
contracts with the Warriors, the players ended up having their heads turned,
and focus distracted, by people who were deliberately giving them false
information.
The crisis, the ZIFA boss said, started when a number of
people, notably Chizuzu, began calling the players telling them they were being
paid less than what they deserved while the association was spending a fortune
on flying councillors and fans to Egypt.
The players were also told, according to Kamambo, that
those who were being flown to Egypt were being paid huge amounts of allowances
when, in reality, none of them pocketed the money.
“In fact, I want to bear with the players. I feel for them
as well because you are in camp and someone is phoning you and giving you
information that the supporters that are coming to Egypt are being paid US$400
per day when you have been paid US$1 500 to participate in the whole
tournament,’’ said Kamambo.
“Yes, US$1 500. ‘That is what we had agreed then the other amount was
going to be paid as and when but because of the third forces coming into the
camp, the likes of Hope Chizuzu, the former president Philip Chiyangwa, board
member Chamu Chiwanza, that acted as a catalyst to cause confusion in the camp.
“The Executive Committee was not amused by the chaos that
surrounded the Warriors camp at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and will
institute an adhoc committee to probe several issues that characterised the
team’s stay in Egypt.
‘‘This is in line with Section 51 of the ZIFA constitution. “ZIFA has evidence of infiltration of the Warriors camp by
a group of vengeful individuals bent on undoing the great work done by the
current executive.
‘‘FIFA, CAF and COSAFA have been notified for possible
corrective action, so that they are barred from football corridors.’’
The ZIFA president believes his board was being attacked by
his predecessors who want to see his downfall.
“Attacks on the reputation of ZIFA are by vengeful elements
who wanted but failed to monopolise corridors of football administration and
their cohorts. The emergency Committee has also taken a decision to recall
Philip Chiyangwa from his position as COSAFA president. The Emergency Committee
has resolved to suspend Executive Committee Member Chamunorwa Chiwanza.
‘‘Mr Chiwanza is accused of electoral fraud, threatening a member of the ZIFA congress, destabilising Warriors Afcon camp
among a host of charges.
“Mr Chiwanza’s suspension would be ratified by the next
full board meeting in line with article 40.3 of the ZIFA constitution,” said
Kamambo.
ZIFA are also expected to respond to the Sports Commission
by end of day today after they were asked to explain issues related to the
AFCON show.
‘‘We are studying the letter meticulously and we will
respond at the appropriate time. We have also notified FIFA of this
correspondence.” Chiyangwa said the allegations against him were
unfortunate.
‘‘For the avoidance of doubt, let me make it clear that I
don’t have any interest in being ZIFA president or any post in that association
and, therefore, I have no reason to be fighting anyone because I am above that
level now,’’ he said.
‘‘I did what I did during my time, I had my success stories
and it was God’s plan and I walked away with grace, unscathed but some people
now want to punish me with allegations that are unfounded.
‘‘I won’t lose sleep over this, my first assignment as ZIFA
president was to secure the future of these players by paying off that (Tom)
Saintfiet debt so that the boys could play at the World Cup again and I can’t
be seen to be destabilising the same team I worked hard to give them a chance
to shine on the big stage.
‘‘I will respond accordingly but I to say that I am very
disappointed with what ZIFA are claiming.’’
Kamambo said while they had expected the Warriors to go all
the way, which explained why they had booked the team’s return tickets for July
21, two days after the final, they also feel the side’s campaign had some
positives.
Coach Sunday Chidzambwa and his technical team have been
asked to prepare for the upcoming CHAN assignment while the ZIFA technical
committee will review the AFCON show.
The ZIFA boss said there was nothing wrong in taking his
family and the councillors to AFCON.
He said his trip was paid for by CAF but opted to use the
charter flight with his family for travel convenience.
Kamambo also defended their financial transactions and said
allegations they misused funds were unfounded. Herald
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