The new ZIFA board’s immediate challenge is to settle ex-Warriors coach, Tom Saintfiet’s debt by the 4th of January or Zimbabwe risks exclusion from the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The Warriors were booted out of the 2018 World Cup without kicking a ball after FIFA banned Zimbabwe for failing to settle another former Warriors coach, Valinhos’ debt.
ZIFA is now eligible for FIFA development funding but they have also to address the ballooning US$6,8 million.
“Zimbabwe is now eligible for FIFA development funding after producing audited accounts for 2015 and a budget for 2016 which has been adopted, but the serious debt of US$6,8 million needs to be addressed as soon as possible together with the claim by former national team coach. Tom Saintfiet, by January 4, 2016 or risk being disqualified from 2022 Qatar World Cup,” FIFA Development Officer, Luca Nicola, said.
SRC Director, Joseph Muchechetere said the supreme sport governing body would work closely with the new ZIFA board and ensure they adhere to good corporate governance as well as CAF and FIFA rules and regulations.
ZIFA owes Belgian Tom Saintfiet about US$150 000.
The new board has less than a month to source the money and failure means doom for Zimbabwean football which is yet to recover from the heartbreak of missing out on the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
