News / National
Zifa still hopeful for release of UK players
30 Aug 2021 at 00:49hrs | Views
ZIFA hasn't given up on six United Kingdom-based players called up by Warriors' head coach Zdvarko Logarusic for the two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against South Africa on Friday and away to Ethiopia on September 7 despite naming their replacements.
The coaches are still keeping their fingers crossed that the players will be released for national duty when the international break window opens today.
Aston Villa midfielder Marvellous Nakamba, Bournemouth's Jordan Zemura, Tendayi Darikwa of Wigan Athletic, Admiral Muskwe of Luton Town, Macauley Bonne of Ipswich Town and David Moyo of Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premier League, are the players affected by the British government's decision to put 26 countries under the Covid-19 red list zone. Warriors' manager Wellington Mpandare said they are remaining positive and won't give up hope, although they've already working with Plan B.
He said it was everyone's wish to have the best possible team for the qualifiers.
"We won't (give up hope), although we have started working with Plan B. We are not saying those called up are not good, but we just want all our best players to be available so that the coaches have a healthy headache," said Mpandare.
The national association has also approached world football governing body Fifa over United States side Houston Dynamo's refusal to release central defender Teenage Hadebe. Houston Dynamo are refusing to release Hadebe in direct violation of Fifa regulations on the status and transfer of players, which make it mandatory for clubs to release players to association teams.
However, in terms of the Fifa temporary amendments on the release of players to association teams where there is a mandatory quarantine period of at least five days on the player's return to his club, the mandatory release mandate doesn't apply.
"We approached Fifa and they are doing their best. Teenage's team is just difficult. It said check with your player for his status and then Teenage said they are saying he can't come because he will miss a lot of games," said Mpandare.
The coaches are still keeping their fingers crossed that the players will be released for national duty when the international break window opens today.
Aston Villa midfielder Marvellous Nakamba, Bournemouth's Jordan Zemura, Tendayi Darikwa of Wigan Athletic, Admiral Muskwe of Luton Town, Macauley Bonne of Ipswich Town and David Moyo of Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premier League, are the players affected by the British government's decision to put 26 countries under the Covid-19 red list zone. Warriors' manager Wellington Mpandare said they are remaining positive and won't give up hope, although they've already working with Plan B.
He said it was everyone's wish to have the best possible team for the qualifiers.
The national association has also approached world football governing body Fifa over United States side Houston Dynamo's refusal to release central defender Teenage Hadebe. Houston Dynamo are refusing to release Hadebe in direct violation of Fifa regulations on the status and transfer of players, which make it mandatory for clubs to release players to association teams.
However, in terms of the Fifa temporary amendments on the release of players to association teams where there is a mandatory quarantine period of at least five days on the player's return to his club, the mandatory release mandate doesn't apply.
"We approached Fifa and they are doing their best. Teenage's team is just difficult. It said check with your player for his status and then Teenage said they are saying he can't come because he will miss a lot of games," said Mpandare.
Source - chronicle
