Zifa rebellion, and Banda’s fight to quell it

Some ZIFA members refuse to recognize interim president Gift Banda’s executive board.

Central, Southern, and Mashonaland Central have ignored the new executive’s sessions, including last month’s EGM.

Premier Soccer League clubs, who make up most of Zifa’s membership, and other provinces are considering following suit to push the SRC to reinstall former president Felton Kamambo to the Zifa board, sources told NewsDay Sport yesterday.

Banda and his board met in Harare yesterday to examine game difficulties, including dissident players.

“The executive committee is concerned that Central, Southern, and Mashonaland Central aren’t attending Zifa events. Acting secretary-general Xolisani Gwesela stated after the meeting that the executive committee is concerned.

Banda is a Southerner.

Sihle Ndaba actress. kisses Scandal! goodbye

The association’s acrimonious relationship is set to top the issue during the Zifa AGM on January 28, 2023.

More members are threatening to skip the meeting, which should prepare for next year’s elections.

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Even if Banda and his supporters press ahead with the AGM and fresh elections, it’s unlikely that Fifa will endorse the outcome of both events because the global football body has stressed that Zimbabwe’s suspension will only be lifted when Kamambo, his vice Philemon Machana, and member Bryton Malandule are reinstated.

Some Premier Soccer League clubs have reportedly threatened to refuse to play until Zimbabwe is readmitted to Fifa.

Fifa banned the country for government influence after the SRC suspended Kamambo’s board.

Zimbabwe’s football teams can’t participate in Fifa-sanctioned or continental competitions.

FC Platinum, who won the league title recently, and Bulawayo Chiefs, who won the Chibuku Super Cup last weekend, will not play in the Caf Champions League and the Caf Confederation Cup.

Both clubs have asked authorities to help them compete in Africa.

SRC said lifting the suspension wasn’t a priority.

The sports regulating authority suspended Kamambo’s executive board in November for misappropriating funds.

Kamambo defends himself.

The Zifa executive board appointed a three-member ad hoc committee to review the forensic audit findings and provide suggestions. They also suspended Joseph Mamutse for missing work.

Mamutse was suspended last year by the SRC.

The suspension of Kamambo’s board members was lifted early this year without disciplinary action.

This was SRC’s strategy to urge Fifa to ease the country’s football suspension.

This bid tanked.