Zifa digs its heels in on Mpandare, almost silent on Peter

The Zimbabwe Football Association says it has confidence in the capabilities of the manager of its men’s national team Wellington Mpandare following a spat with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Star forward Khama Billiat is on the books of the CAF Champions League holders and had to be flown in by former Zimbabwe captain Peter Ndlovu to prove he was not injured.

This followed a war of words in which Sundowns Thulisani Thuswa made what Zifa calls ‘distasteful sentiments’ in reaction Mpandare’s assertion that Sundowns and particularly Ndlovu were blocking access to Billiat.

On its website Zifa backed Mpandare:

Mpandare conducted his duties in a professional manner in the process of requesting for the release of Khama Billiat to report for assessment by the national team’s medical team, therefore, we feel that denigrating comments made were unwarranted.

And as Zifa we are fully confident of our team manager’s ability to execute his duties in a manner that ensures that relations between ZIFA and Mamelodi Sundowns remain cordial.

Zifa also expressed its respect for Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe, his executive and his management (without mentioning Ndlovu who was fingered by Mpandare but remained unimpressed by the ‘vitriolic attacks’ by Sundowns.

Billiat has since come to Harare for inspection and found to be far off from recovery, having last kicked a ball five weeks ago.

He, along with Ndlovu have now returned to SA.