Cape Verde, Zimbabwe Warriors on match-fixing alert

ZIFA and their Cape Verde counterparts are not taking lightly allegations that there were attempts to fix the African Cup of Nations qualifier between Liberia and Mali and have asked the Confederation of African Football to probe media reports emanating from Monrovia over the incidents.

The Warriors and the Tubaroes Azuis (Blue Sharks) lock horns here tomorrow afternoon while the Lone star, merely playing for national pride host group leaders Eagles in Monrovia. With any of leaders Mali, second-placed Zimbabwe and third-placed Cape Verde in with a chance to claim top spot in the pool it has become a frenetic end to the Group A campaign. The Malians have a slight advantage in that they are table toppers and they visit a Liberian side that literally has nothing to play for. Zifa and the Cape Verde Football Federation were, however, not amused by media reports from Monrovia that a group of men had been spotted in the country trying to fix the outcome of the match in Mali's favour.

For an association that is emerging from the dark era of the Asiagate scam, Zifa are still very sensitive to issues of match-fixing and have not taken lightly the media reports that have emanated from Monrovia.

It is against this background that Zifa took the initiative and wrote to Caf on the allegations that surfaced in Liberia with the letter from the association's president Cuthbert Dube being copied to Fifa president Sepp Blatter, the world body's secretary-general Jerome Valcke, Fifa head of security Chris Eaton and Cosafa leader Suketu Patel. The Fifa trio of Blatter, Valcke and Eaton has been to Zimbabwe between June and the end of last month with all three speaking strongly against match-fixing and praising Zifa for the efforts they made to try and clean up their game from match fixers. Dube said they were saddened by the allegations emanating from Liberia which were a slap in the face of Fifa's gospel of Fair Play.

"The Zimbabwe Football Association would like to file a formal protest with your office in respect of possible match-fixing of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying match between Liberia and Mali set for Monrovia on the 8th of October 2011.

"Our suspicions and subsequent protests are based on media reports emanating from Liberia that Mali are trying to have the match fixed and have been in touch with Liberia Football Association.

"We take such allegations seriously and as such have seen it fit to bring this matter to your attention.

"Zimbabwe is committed zero tolerance to match fixing given that we are emerging from a match fixing and betting scandal which was being orchestrated by Asian betting syndicates. "We believe African football should be a model of the finest footballers. Africa should stand firm and resolute against match fixing and betting if the continent is to repay the family of football for the respect and confidence it had when bringing the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.

"We should win and lose fairly if football is to remain the world's most beautiful game. Fair Play always," wrote Dube.

The Warriors and the Blue Sharks might be opponents in tomorrow's Group A qualifier at the Estadio Da Varzea but their respective administrations briefly set aside the rivalry as they joined forces in condemning the allegations of match fixing that have threatened to mar an otherwise potentially exciting finish to the qualifying campaign. Yesterday, Warriors head of delegation on their tour of duty here - board member finance Elliot Kasu - met with the Cape Verde Football Federation president Mario Semedo and his deputy Almeida Fernando at their offices which overlook the venue of tomorrow's match.

Both Kasu and Semedo reiterated a zero tolerance to match fixing with the Cape Verde football boss insisting that if the reports from Liberia were true, it would be a sad chapter for the continent's game.

"The only information that we have at the moment as Cape Verde Federation is from the media reports in Liberia but I cannot say whether or not really happened . . . its difficult without tangible proof, we only know about it because the media reported about it but if Zimbabwe have more information we would love to hear from them too.

"If it happened then it is very bad for football and Caf should take all the necessary precautions to avoid this and we are of course concerned and we will write to Caf about it since any of the three top teams in our group can qualify," Semedo said.