Curtworth Masango
SPORTS Minister Kirsty Coventry said it’s time for football to live its dreams again after the FIFA suspension was lifted on Monday night.
A normalisation committee, led by former Dynamos chairman Lincoln Mutasa, was announced yesterday.
The committee includes Sikumbuzo Ndebele, Rosemary Mugadza, and Nyasha Sanyamandwe.
The Warriors will be involved in today’s 2026 World Cup draw and efforts were being made to get Mutasa to attend and represent the country.
“We had to make a decision and say enough is enough. We took a decision that we knew was going to be painful and knew the reactions it would bring,” said Coventry.
“You know soccer has a very special part to play in African politics but our President (Mnangagwa) gave us the support from day one without hesitation.
“That was extremely brave from him giving us unwavering support.
“We are one of the most passionate football countries in the world. We used to be ranked in the top 40. And we need our players to get the chance to get us there back again.
“The normalisation committee brings us the opportunity to rebuild a solid foundation that sees all our football stakeholders thriving.
“It’s time that all the stakeholders come together united. Let’s stand and not allow the rot to come back again,” she said.
SRC chairman Gerald Mlotshwa said never again, in the history of local football, should the country find itself in such muddy terrain.
“For the past year and a half, the SRC has been meticulously building a case for FIFA’s further contemplation.
“Any prospects for genuine reforms within ZIFA would have remained but a chimera without FIFA’s active engagement.
“The appointment of a normalisation committee to steer the course of ZIFA forms the cornerstone upon which urgently needed reforms can be erected within the organisation.
“Never again should our football become a victim of unscrupulous administrators and societal miscreants, driven by self-centredness and egotism as has been the case over the years,” he said.
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