Chiyangwa survives Cosafa ouster bid

BUSINESSMAN Philip Chiyangwa has survived an ouster bid after the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) scuttled the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa)’s plans to recall him from the regional body.

Former ZIFA president, Philip Chiyangwa

In a stinging letter to Zifa chief executive Joseph Mamutse, the South Africa-based footballing organisation’s secretary general Sue Destombes said the allegations raised against the flamboyant merchant were purely domestic and, hence, must be handled at that level.

“Your allegations against the former president of Zifa… are domestic in nature and should, therefore, be dealt with in Zimbabwe. The president of Cosafa was duly elected by the general assembly… in accordance with article 10.3 of the statutes,” she said, adding the local body “did not have the powers to eject Chiyangwa”, whose five-year tenure began in December 2016.

“…a member of Cosafa, should not seek to use the… president… to resolve domestic disputes and… bring the zonal union… into disrepute.  It is the prerogative of any member association to consider… (participation) in the activities of the zonal union,” Destombes added.

She said she hoped Zifa would act in a responsible manner and seek to resolve any differences, in order to focus on the development of football and for the country to reach its full potential.