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Association board meeting set for Wednesday in Harare.
In a move meant to expedite the process of dealing with the matter that has tainted the image of Zimbabwean football, Zifa has scheduled an emergency board meeting to discuss the issue and probably map the way forward.
Two Zifa board members – Gift Banda and Patrick Hokonya – were implicated in the referees’ scandal that rocked Central Soccer League leading to a delay in crowning the region’s Division One champions.
The duo is adamant that they are innocent and now they have to explain their case before the Zifa board.
In a telephone interview from his Harare base, Jonathan Mashingaidze the Zifa chief executive officer confirmed the meeting.
“There is a special board meeting that will take place on Wednesday here in Harare. All the board members are expected to attend the meeting as the association seeks to speed up the whole process.
“We cannot afford to have any delays as it is critical that all these matters be dealt with now,” said Mashingaidze.
He said wrapping up the matter would give the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League sponsors and other sponsors a chance to prepare for next season.
The Castle Lager Premiership season ended last month and winners from other regional leagues are out.
Quelaton are the Southern Region champions with Harare City winning the Northern Region League while Buffaloes are coming into the elite league from the Eastern Region.
“As it is the champions of the Central Region are unknown. This is making it difficult for the PSL and sponsors to plan for next season. This issue which is affecting the Central Region has to be addressed soon,” said Mashingaidze.
Banda and Hokonya who are denying being involved in the “Centralgate” scandal have volunteered to step aside to allow investigations to continue.
With a precedent already set after Zifa board members Methembe Ndlovu, Kenny Marange and Solomon Mugavazi were suspended following their alleged involvement in fixed games in Asia, Banda and Hokonya might be suspended on Wednesday.
Mashingaidze refused to comment on the suspension of the two and said it was up to the board to decide.
“It is the board’s prerogative to decide what steps to take with regards to dealing with senior administrators. The referees implicated will face a committee that is looking at the matter while those board members implicated will answer to the Zifa board,” Mashingaidze said.
Already, Women’s Soccer League boss Samukeliso Silengane and former Fifa referee Cosmas Nyoni have been suspended.
Nyoni is the one who implicated Banda and Hokonya, claiming that Silengane told him that the two “elders” wanted him to fix matches in the Central Region.
According to sources close to the matter, more referees have volunteered to give information to assist those conducting investigations.
Key witnesses who include Albert Mbuse are likely to be interviewed by the Ndumiso Gumede-led investigating team.