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Chiwanza to expose ‘theft’ at Zifa

Sport
HIGHLY-RATED South Africa-born prop Henri Boshoff is relishing the opportunity to showcase his talent in Zimbabwe colours after he was named in the Sables’ starting XV to face Zambia in the two teams’ opening match of the Victoria Cup at the Machinery Exchange Stadium Harare Sports Club today.

BY Kevin Mapasure

Suspended Zifa executive committee member Chamu Chiwanza has promised to spill the beans on the “theft” that is taking place at the association, following his suspension on allegations of electoral fraud as well as his alleged role in distabilising the Warriors at the Africa Cup of Nations finals (Afcon).

As Zifa carries out its inquest in the Afcon debacle where the Warriors bowed out at the first hurdle following two defeats and a draw in Group A, Chiwanza is alleged to have played a role, together with former president Philip Chiyangwa and his deputy Omega Sibanda, in influencing players to make withdrawal threats.

On Thursday, Zifa announced Chiwanza’s suspension with Zifa president Felton Kamambo alleging that he was part of a group that was working to cause confusion among the players.

Yesterday Chiwanza told NewsDaySport that he would react at an appropriate time, but said he will make damning revelations about the way Zifa funds have been handled.

Acting vice-president Philemon Machana is responsible for the finance portfolio, with some of his operations having raised eyebrows, particularly when he moved money from the association’s bank accounts to his company account.

“I am going to respond at the right time, but what I can promise now is that when I respond (to the Zifa allegations), I will bring the temple down on their heads,” he said.

“It’s coming very soon. Thieves will be exposed. People will see who the real thieves are. It’s going to be big; it’s going to be biblical.”

The group that has been identified by Zifa is alleged to have caused confusion by telling the players that Zifa councillors that travelled to the Afcon finals had been paid US$4 000 each while journalists got $5 000 each.

With this information the players started to make huge demands while threatening not to fulfil matches as they pressed for payment.

“I want to bear with the players,” Kamambo told journalists on Thursday. “I feel for them as well because you are in camp and someone is phoning you and giving you information that supporters coming to Egypt are being paid $400 per day when you have been paid US$1 500 to participate in the whole tournament. Yes, US$1 500. That is what we had agreed, then the other amount was going to be paid as and when, but because of the third forces coming into camp, the likes of Hope Chizuzu, the former president Philip Chiyangwa, board member Chamu Chiwanza, that acted as catalysts to cause confusion in the camp.”

Chiyangwa had promised to respond at a Press conference yesterday, but had not done so by the time of going to print.