THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) will risk Zimbabwe’s qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals after suspending coach Norman Mapeza and his assistant Joey Antipas over match fixing allegations.
Zimbabwe travel to Burundi for the first leg of a crucial 2013 Africa Cup of Nations first round tie on February 29, and ZIFA confirmed on Monday they were looking at hiring a temporary coach.
The new coach will find a squad already decimated by bans handed out by ZIFA.
In an announcement last week, the football governing body banned close to 80 players – including most of the current national team – implicated in a multi-million dollar match fixing scandal run by Asian betting syndicates.
An independent ethics committee chaired by retired judge Ahmed Ebrahim is expected to relook into allegations against each of the players and coaches, pass judgement and hand out sanctions by the end of March.
ZIFA’s hardline approach, praise-worthy for many, could yet turn out to be Zimbabwe’s undoing as the country bids to reach only the third finals of the Africa Cup of Nations being hosted by South Africa.
ZIFA CEO Jonathan Mashingaidze said on Monday that an announcement would be made this week about the technical team that would prepare a makeshift team for the trip to Burundi.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations format has been changed to allow for a speedy conclusion to the qualifiers.
A total of 47 countries entered the competition, including South Africa, which automatically qualified. The remaining 46 teams will compete in the qualifiers.
In each of the three rounds, teams will be drawn into two-legged home-and-away knock-out ties.
In the preliminary round, the lowest-ranked four teams - Lesotho, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles and Swaziland will meet.
The two winners of the preliminary round will join the other 26 teams which did not qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, including Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe travel to Burundi on February 29, according to the draw, with the return leg set for Harare on June 15.
The 14 winners of the first round will join the 16 teams which qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 15 winners of the second round will qualify for the finals.
The following list shows the players and officials named in the Asiagate scandal, and the number of corrupt matches in which they took part:
Match Officials (Games Attended)
Robson Sharuko (Herald Sports Editor) 14
Godfrey Japajapa (Administrator) 7
Sunday Chidzambwa (Coach) 7
Luke Masomere (Coach) 6
Ernest Sibanda (Manager) 5
Two Matches
Norman Mapeza, Methembe Ndlovu (Coach); Modecai Sachikonye (Medic)
One Match
Jose Valinhos (Coach); Solomon Makuvaro (Match Commissioner); Cyril Mukweva (Administrator); Joey Antipas (Coach); Edward Chagonda (Medic), Lloyd Maungwa (Medic); Nathan Makanza (Medic); Solomon Mugavazi (ZIFA Board Member)
Players Most Active (By Number of Matches)
Fifteen
Thomas Sweswe
Thirteen
Lionel Mtizwa; Mtshumayeli Moyo
Ten
Eusebio Manuwere
Nine
Gilbert Banda; Johannes Ngodzo
Eight
Justice Majabvi; Danisa Phiri
Seven
Mernard Mupera; Edward Sadomba; Kingston Nkatha; Washington Pakamisa; Method Mwanjali; Richard Mteki
Six
Tsungi Mudzamiri; Edmore Sibanda; Phillip Marufu; Energy Murambadoro; Costa Nhamoinesu
Five
Edward Tembo; Ali Sadiki; Beaven Chikaka; Tafadzwa Dube; Willard Manyatera
Four
Elvis Meleka
Three
Tichaona Ngodzo; Nicholas Alifandika; Oscar Machapa; Milton Makopa
Two
Ovidy Karuru; Pride Tafirenyika; Cuthbert Malajila; Clemence Matawu; David Kutyauripo; Zhaimu Jambo; Washington Arubi; Zephania Ngodzo; Evans Chikaikwai; Daniel Vheremu; Augustine Mbara; Kennedy Chirwa; Brian Katsuruware; Tendai Ramthokwane; Rex Mabeza; Martin Vengesai; Hardlife Zvirekwi; Milton Ncube; Cliff Sekete; Hardlife Mafundi; Knowledge Machona; Khama Billiat; Proud Zireni; Danisa Phiri; Khumbulani Banda; Nyasha Mukumbi; Gilbert Mapemba; Thabani Goredema; Christopher Samakweri; Tawanda Muparati; Thabani Masuku
One
Bekithemba Ndlovu; Charles Chiutsa; Asani Nhongo; Ronald Sengu; Gilbert Mushangazhike; Willard Katsande; Marshal Matenda; Last Chibwiro; Max Nyamupanedengu; Guthrie Zhokinyi; George Magariro; Arthur Mafusire; Carrington Gomba; Wonder Sithole; Thabani Kamusoko; Marvel Samaneka; Edmore Chitato; Tawanda Nyamandwe; Clive Kawinga; Leonard Tsipa; Tawanda Amos Mandicha