Warriors - Bafana Bafana match on

THE Zimbabwe versus South Africa soccer match to be used to celebrate the nation's 33rd Uhuru anniversary and 50 years of Zifa's existence looks certain to take place.

Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze is back from South Africa where he had gone to negotiate the deal and another one that could have brought English Barclays Premier League defending champions Manchester City to Zimbabwe.

The match will be part of the main independence celebrations programme set for the National Sports Stadium on 18 April.

Last year, Zimbabwe Warriors played another Southern African neighbour, Zambia, whom they beat 2-1 as the nation marked 32 years of self rule.

The last club competition for the Uhuru Cup was won by Bulawayo giants Highlanders who beat their old foes Dynamos 4-2 on a penalty shootout.

The Bulawayo giants were under Mkhuphali Masuku then.

In doing away with clubs, Zifa said they had always faced a lot of questions from the football fans who would constantly pester the association on the criteria used to pick the teams that would clash in the cup.

"We are not having clubs competing in the Independence Cup again this year. Like last year where we invited Zambia, our Warriors will clash with Bafana Bafana as we celebrate 33 years of independence. I was in South Africa from Monday where I met the South African Football Association chief executive officer Dennis Mumble and his predecessor Robin Peterson to discuss among other things having their national team as part of the Independence celebrations," said Mashingaidze.

He said Safa was in total support of their national squad coming down to Zimbabwe but could not confirm the match during their discussions as the issue now lies with the Absa Premiership who would provide most of the players.

The match falls outside the Fifa international friendly matches date and as such only local players, even for the Warriors, could take part in the match.

"I was assured however that their national team coach Gordon Igesund has a very good working relationship with the league management and will be able to convince them to release the players for the Zimbabwe tour," said Mashingaidze.

He said the 2010 World Cup and the 2013 Nations Cup hosts will confirm their trip to Zimbabwe before the end of next week.

"As Zifa we are quite confident that the match will materialise and will also be part of the Warriors' rebuilding programme," said the Zifa chief executive officer.

The head of the Zifa secretariat said the international friendly match would provide the Warriors with a perfect opportunity to fine-tune the squad ahead of the 2013 Cosafa Cup finals that will be held in Zambia from 6-21 July.

Meanwhile, another sore point for Zifa is the World Player of the Year scandal.

The Zifa chief executive said whoever was found on the wrong side would be dealt with severely, regardless of their position in society.

"We are in a delicate situation to try and change the image of this institution and whoever is guilty on this will face the full wrath of the law, be certain about that," said Mashingaidze.

Mashingaidze got no joy from Manchester City whom they wanted to rope in for their 50th anniversary match in July.

The English Premiership side wants to have ties with Zimbabwe and could consider pre-season training for the 2014/15 season in Zimbabwe.