Mwanjali, Sundowns part ways

FORMER Warriors skipper Method Mwanjali begins the month as a free agent following the expiry of his contract at Mamelodi Sundowns, but also feeling the relief of having his life ban from Zimbabwean football lifted by ZIFA.

Mwanjali was handed a life ban in October 2012 by ZIFA for his alleged involvement in the Asiagate match-fixing scandal, but following a three-year battle that included taking legal action, he has now been cleared.

The sanctions were restricted to football activities governed by ZIFA which is why Mwanjali was still able to continue with his career in South Africa as the ban was never endorsed by FIFA to take a global effect.

It has since been informed that the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe has been handed Mwanjali's letter confirming that his ban has been lifted.

The Asiagate scandal - which happened between 2007 and 2009 - involved players that went on tours to Asia where they were allegedly paid to "throw" matches, and at the time when 15 officials and players were banned it made huge news across the world.

Meanwhile, Mwanjali will walk away from the pain of sitting on the sidelines for a year at Sundowns after the expiry of his contract on June 30.

The experienced defender spent the past season stuck at Sundowns after the club decided not to register him but he has been able to keep fit back home training with former club Hwange for the past three months.

He has since returned to South Africa and will be moving to another club in the new season.

There had also been reports linking him with a possible return to CAPS United during the domestic Premiership mid-season transfer window which opened yesterday.