ZIMBABWE striker Knowledge Musona says he will not play for his country again unless the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) retracts accusations that he is a match fixer.
Musona found himself in the middle of a storm just before Zimbabwe played Burundi last month when ZIFA CEO Jonathan Mashingaidze claimed the Hoffenheim star’s heart was not in it for the national team.
Mashingaidze claimed that Musona and midfielder Ovidy Karuru had been seen meeting the former ZIFA CEO Henrietta Rushwaya, who left the post in disgrace after being implicated in the Asiagate scandal in which she arranged friendly matches in Asia and organised corrupt payments for players to lose matches.
Rushwaya reportedly made over US$1 million in the racket which was run by Asian betting syndicates, although she had criminal charges dropped on a technicality.
Musona, who denies meeting Rushwaya, is fighting back after issuing an ultimatum to ZIFA on Tuesday to prove the allegations or withdraw them entirely.
Through his lawyer, Misheck Hogwe, the former Kaizer Chiefs striker is demanding that the allegations be retracted.
A source close to the player said: “He has told ZIFA that he will only be available for his country when they clear him of these accusations. ZIFA never called him to a hearing but made public statements that he was corrupt and unfit to represent his country.
“Knowledge loves his country but feels strongly that this action is necessary to clear his name and restore the trust of the fans.”
Ironically, Musona scored the winner as Zimbabwe went on to beat Burundi 1-0 and 3-2 on aggregate to go through to the next round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The finals will be staged in South Africa next year.
The Football Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) blasted ZIFA chiefs and accused them of seeking to cloak the 1-0 home defeat to Guinea and 0-0 draw away to Mozambique in the World Cup qualifiers by shifting focus to Musona and Karuru.