Zimbabwe could be disqualified from the Africa Cup Of Nations 2022, due to the Minister of Sports’ interference in some serious ZIFA issues, according to African Insider.
Recall that the board of the country’s football governing body was suspended by the Zimbabwean government-appointed Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) for an alleged sexual harassment of female referees by technical staff, allegations of fraud, among others.
The suspension came on the heels of the Warriors 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in the concluding part of their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in November.
FIFA disapproves of governmental interference in the running of member associations and has banned countries from all forms of football as a result in the past.
“This decision has been considered following several incidents of gross incompetence on the part of Zifa contrary to the national interest,” said SRC chair Gerald Mlotshwa.
Zimbabwe finished bottom of Group G, which also included Ghana and South Africa, with two points from six games.
The SRC, a statutory body mandated to regulate and develop sport and recreation in Zimbabwe, also detailed other reasons for the suspension including alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability in the use of public funds.
“We are prepared in many respects for whatever might happen,” Mlotshwa added.
“If Fifa decides to ban Zimbabwean football we are prepared for that. If it does happen we look at it being a short-term measure.
“Zimbabwean football needs this opportunity just to fix itself – if we are out of international football for a year, two years, that’s fine. If we are suspended from Afcon next year we are prepared for that, that is fine, we need to deal with football.”
Zimbabwe made her last appearance at the biennial tournament in 2019, where they failed to progress to the knock out stage.
If ever found guilty, Zambia or South Africa could take their spot at the upcoming AFCON 2022 in Cameroon.
