BANNED Warriors defender Method Mwanjali will feature for Mamelodi Sundowns when the South African giants tour Zimbabwe for three matches next week, Zifa has confirmed.
REPORT BY HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
The Absa Premiership side are set to arrive in the country early next week for a series of friendlies.
They will begin their tour with a clash with Highlanders at Barbourfields next Wednesday before travelling to the capital to face Caps United at Gwanzura Stadium two days later.
The Brazilians will conclude their five-day tour with a match against league champions Dynamos the following Sunday.
Mwanjali and 14 others were last year slapped with life bans over their alleged involvement in the Asiagate match-fixing scandal. Most of them, including Mwanjali, have appealed against the ruling.
Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede yesterday cleared the air on the former Warriors captain saying he will be allowed to take part in the three matches.
“We as Zifa cleared Mwanjali with the South African Football Association (Safa) for them to register him with his team (Mamelodi Sundowns) so as far as we are concerned he is free as to play in the said matches,” said Gumede.
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“He will continue to play for Sundowns or any other team outside the country until such a time when Fifa uphold our recommendations.
“He can play for Sundowns anywhere including in Zimbabwe but he cannot play for any club in Zimbabwe and cannot be selected to play for our national team until his case is finalised,” added Gumede.
Earlier this week, Sundowns promised that they would send a very strong side for the tour as the team prepares for the second half of their league which is expected to resume after the ongoing Orange Africa Cup of Nations.
The revelations by Zifa come a few days after Sundowns confirmed that they are extending Mwanjali’s contract.
His contract is expected to expire at the end of June but the mega rich club has assured the former Caps United player that his services are still needed.
“We will renew Method’s contract.
“He is in the coach’s plans and we have to keep him at the team. He won’t be going anywhere as he has shown that he still wants to play for Sundowns and that Sundowns still want to have him,” Sundowns technical director Trot Moloto told the South African media on Tuesday.
Kick Off reported yesterday that a clause will be inserted in his new deal where the contract will be terminated if the ban is upheld.
His stay, though, will depend on the outcome of the Asiagate appeal case which, if he loses, he will be banned from football activities for life.
Mwanjali was used sparingly by fired Johan Neeskens, but has been prominently used since the arrival of new coach Pitso Mosimane.
Mamelodi Sundowns are also home to other two Zimbabweans Esrom Nyandoro and Nyasha Mushekwi while Lionel Mtizwa is on loan to fellow Absa Premiership side Pretoria University.
