News that Dynamos and Warriors midfielder Devon Chafa has been suspended by the Federation of International Football Associations (Fifa) over a doping case came as a great concern for the country following the infamous Asiagate match-fixing scandal.
NewsDay Editorial
It would appear Zimbabwe is now better known as a scandal-hit country than anything else in the aftermath of the latest debacle.
There is no doubt the scandals will permanently affect the image of the game and country.
According to a communiqué released by the world football governing body, Chafa “has provisionally been suspended for an initial period of 30 days”.
Fifa reached their decision after Chafa tested “positive for a prohibited substance” and that “the player did not request the analysis of the ‘B’ sample within the deadline granted”.
If Chafa had requested analysis of the “B” sample, he might have gotten a reprieve from Fifa, but as it stands, he will answer charges of a seemingly severe “A” sample which might be disastrous for his career.
That the development occurs with Asiagate still pending makes the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) and the country a laughing stock.
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Asiagate is a colloquial name that refers to trips to Asia by the men’s senior team where they were reported to have received money to throw matches.
Officials and players have since received various sentences from Zifa, who are also seeking to have life bans meted on certain players and officials ratified by Fifa.
Fifa are still investigating the matter.
As a result of Asiagate, Zimbabwean players have been viewed with disdain on the market, while match officials nowadays rarely get the nod to officiate on the international stage.
The days of super referees like Felix Tangawarima are gone as the country battles to restore the battered image.
Zimbabwe is no longer a saleable brand in as far as football is concerned.
It is high time the powers that be at Zifa took stock of what is transpiring in the game and seek lasting solutions that will return hope and confidence in the sport especially in the eyes of the international community.
There is need for a big public relations campaign and even hosting symposiums that will highlight the fact that Zimbabwe is not all about scandals.
In the case of Chafa, it will be unfair to delve too much on that because he still has to appear before a disciplinary hearing, but the fact remains that the country’s image is in tatters.
