Bosso claim that they were entered as the country’s sole representatives in the Confederation Cup despite indicating to the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) that they did not have the financial resources to participate in the African Safari.
Mantengwane were entered by virtue of finishing third in the Premier Soccer League. Premiership title winners Motor Action and second placed Dynamos were entered for the African Champions League. Zimbabwe were allocated two slots in the Champions League by virtue of Dynamos’ good showing in the Champions League.
The domestic league is currently ranked the 16 best league on the continental following DeMbare’s fine run in the Champions League where they reached the group stages of the competition. Despite the honour of getting two slots in the Champions League, Zifa and Bosso are set to face severe sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following Highlanders’ withdrawal after the draw has been done.
Highlanders were scheduled to collide with Zambia’s Nchanga Rangers in the preliminary round of the Confederation Cup at Barbourfields on January 29 but it seems that tie is not going ahead. However Bosso will face severe sanctions from CAF for the late withdrawal.
The CAF regulations stipulate that any club withdrawing from a continental inter-club tournament faces not just a fine but also a three-year ban from the competition.
According to the CAF Rules and Regulations, clubs cannot escape unpunished if they withdraw from the tournament once the fixtures have been established. This goes with a three-year ban and a mandatory fine of US$1 500. However, withdrawing before the fixture is drawn is allowed without any consequences.
Article 13 (4) of the rules and regulations provides that “Withdrawing from the competition once the fixtures have been established is forbidden and any club that does so will, besides the financial sanctions to the football association, face a three year ban from any CAF competition”.
Before the CAF disciplinary committee sits, Bosso and Zifa have already started trading accusations with the Bulawayo side claiming that they notified the mother association of their withdrawal through an email, which was also copied to the Premier Soccer League. On the other hand the football association claims it never saw the communication from Bosso but one thing is certain they will both face the music from the CAF.
