Mushekwi, Mwanjali's Sundowns future uncertain

Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe yesterday stopped short of saying that the heads of his players implicated in match-fixing in Zimbabwe would roll. But in so many words, he said as much.

Speaking at Sundowns' Chloorkop offices just after unveiling a three-year sponsorship deal with Honda of 20 cars, Motsepe was crystal clear that match-fixing must be dealt with severely.

"We are a high-profile team and a big brand. We have a legal and moral duty not to condone this type of shenanigans. Sundowns must act on this and we have taken the initiative to start engaging those players in the club who were named and suspended by the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) over this scandal.

"It is very important for Sundowns and South Africa to recognise the efforts of our Zimbabwe neighbours in trying to clean up football. We have an obligation to complement that with all that is possible.

"We cannot pretend it's not there or doesn't happen, so we must protect our brand and protect the South African image, that is why we are going to deal with this in a serious manner. However, that is as far as I can say for now on this issue as we continue to look at it," said Motsepe, in reference to Nyasha Mushekwi and Method Mwanjali.

The two among 80 players who have been suspended by Zifa after they were linked to a match-fixing scandal during Zimbabwe's friendly matches, mostly played in Asia, between 2007 and 2010, which have led to a full-scale Fifa investigation.

As Mushekwi and Mwanjali contemplate the backlash on their future in club and country, their club teammate, Esrom Nyandoro, has been named in the 24-man Warriors squad that is preparing for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away in Burundi on February 29 under new coach, Rahman Gumbo, who has replaced Norman Mapeza â€" who was suspended with his assistant, Joey Antipas, over the scandal. "As I speak to you, I am aware that my name is in the list of players named by Gumbo," said Nyandoro.