United States of America-based Warriors goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva has urged Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to resolve their differences for Zimbabwe to be readmitted to international football competitions.
The 26-year-old former Dynamos player, who now plays for Michigan Stars in the third tier of American football, described Zimbabwe’s suspension by FIFA as a “shame”. Mkuruva wrote on Facebook:
It is very sad to see what’s happening to our beautiful game of football in Zim, the ban on all our national and local teams from participating in international football competitions is a shame.
It’s high time that our leaders or parties involved sit down and resolve all these conflicts to save our football…
Football players are losing time, chances and all opportunities to be recognized internationally to further their careers.
How do we expect as a nation to compete at the highest level of football when the talented young generation’s dreams are being shattered by things that can be easily solved?
FIFA suspended Zimbabwe from international football early this year after SRC suspended the Felton Kamambo-led ZIFA board in October last year.
The world governing body ordered SRC to unconditionally reinstate the suspended board for it to lift Zimbabwe’s suspension. However, SRC has hitherto refused to reverse its decision.
Zimbabwe has already been barred from taking part in the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the African Nations Championships (CHAN) and this year’s edition of the COSAFA Cup because of the FIFA suspension.