Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
Warriors coach, Micheal Nees is in the eye of a storm for failing to respect FIFA statutes.
This comes after CAPS United and Dynamos players were forced to miss the Harare derby when other players had been allowed to turn out for their clubs during the same weekend.
CAPS United Coach Lloyd Chitembwe and his Dynamos counterpart Lloyd Chigove were not amused after players were forced to miss a league match which was played outside the FIFA calendar.
Dynamos vice-captain, Emmanuel Jalai and CAPS United captain, Godknows Murwira missed the Harare Derby on Sunday after they travelled to South Africa with the senior national team which is set to play Namibia on Thursday in a 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
FIFA statutes are, however, clear on the call-up of players to the national team.
The statutes state that: a club holding the registration of a player called up to play in the national team must release him/her to the national association on the fixed/set dates for international matches in each calendar year on the International Match Calendar.
The statutes also go on to say: ‘If the player is called up to play in a qualifying match for an international competition, this period shall be 4 days (including the day of the match).’
In this instance, the FIFA dates are 7-15 October but the players were forced to leave the country on the 6th.
What has not gone down well with the Dynamos and CAPS United coaches is that some players including those based outside the country fulfilled their commitments, while Jalai and Murwira were barred from representing their clubs.
Former ZIFA Technical Director, Wilson Mutekede has called for dialogue with respect.
“The two Lloyds are justified in their claims because the FIFA rules are clear on the dates and that was flouted, the national team coach should have engaged the clubs and come up with a mutual agreement not what happened where we hear players were threatened that should they not travel yesterday, then they will not be called up again. ZIFA should engage with the clubs and resolve the problem and respect local clubs because they have contracts with these players.”
Meanwhile, locally based players and their South African counterparts are now in Johannesburg.
Strikers Tinotenda Kadewere and Tawanda Chirewa have been ruled out due to injuries, with Douglas Mapfumo called in as a replacement.
Centre-back, Munashe Garan’anga is struggling with an ankle knock and will travel to South Africa to be assessed by the Warriors medical staff.
Namibia will host Zimbabwe on the 10th at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg before the Warriors return the favour on the 14th as the two battle in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Namibia have since announced that the match on Thursday will be played behind closed doors.
