Bosso CAF ban remains in force

ZIMBABWE giants Highlanders will have to continue on the sidelines of continental football after the Confederation of African Football ruled that their three-year ban from any inter-club competition remains in force.

Zifa had written to Caf enquiring on Highlanders' status ahead of Bosso's participation in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final showdown against How Mine at Barbourfields on Saturday.

Highlanders' three year-ban for declining to participate in the Confederation Cup when they had already been registered, began in 2012 and is expected to finish at the end of next year.

But after serving two years, the Bulawayo giants had been hoping for a waiver on the last year of the suspension which would enable them to return to the continental game next season in the event that that they win the Mbada Cup against How Mine on Saturday.

Caf however dealt Bosso a blow when they indicated through a response to Zifa that the suspension would remain in force.

The continental body's acting director of the competitions division Shereen Arafa told Zifa that the Bosso ban was in line with standing Confederation Cup regulations and the Bulawayo giants would have to serve their full punishment for withdrawing from playing against Zambian outfit Nchanga Rangers in 2011.

With Caf having set November 30 as the deadline by which clubs should be registered for the Champions League and the Confederation Cup, Zifa had sought clarification on highlanders fate but the insistence by the continental body means How Mine have become eligible even before they have taken to the field at Barbourfields on Saturday.

Zifa Communications manager Xolisani Gwesela revealed the developments on Bosso's fate and acknowledged that their efforts had been in vain.

"The Zimbabwe Football Association would like to inform the football fraternity and the nation that Highlanders FC is not eligible to participate in Caf inter-clubs competitions until 2015.

"We have received confirmation from Caf to the effect that it is not possible to engage Highlanders to take part in Caf Inter-club competitions for 2014," said Gwesela.

For the 2011 competitions, Highlanders had been drawn to play Nchanga Rangers of Zambia in the preliminary round while 2010 Premiership champions Motor Action played Cnap Sports of Madagascar at the same stage in the in the Champions League.

"CAF cited that in 2011, Highlanders withdrew from matches No.21 and 22: Highlanders (Zimbabwe) vs. Nchanga (Zambia) in the Caf Confederation Cup.

"Consequently, Highlanders FC were found guilty of violating Chapter V, Article 13 of the Confederation Cup regulations which stipulates that: "every club withdrawing from the competition after the establishment of the fixtures will be forbidden from participating in all Caf inter-club competitions for three years following its withdrawal.

"Highlanders had approached Zifa to appeal to Caf on their behalf to have the ban reversed but it was to no avail. So in adherence to the said article, Highlanders FC remain suspended for three years following the withdrawal namely -2012, 2013 and 2014," said Gwesela.

As was largely expected, it now means How Mine are now eligible to take part in the Confederation Cup if they accept the offer.

Mbada Diamonds have also set aside a subsidy for the team that will represent Zimbabwe in the Confederation Cup.