A damning Zifa report into match-fixing shows that the players have been grouped into “passive, active and very hyperactive participants” and Dynamos have the highest number of players in all three categories. The revelation could show that the Glamour Boys players could have been given preferential treatment by the selectors of the national teams that went for the 15 tainted matches in Asia.
Ten players who played for Dynamos at the time of the Asiagate are part of the 51 “passive participants”.
Some of the players like Cuthbert Malajila, Thabani Kamusoko and Carrington Gomba have since left the club while George Magariro, David Kutyauripo and Augustine Mbara, who also fall into the same category, are still with the boys in blue. Passive participants played in at least a match but not more than two matches.
The Asiagate reports also list the “active participants” and Dynamos also have the highest number of players in this category. Five players are listed as active participants and two of those players, Nicholas Alifandika and Milton Makopa, went on the Asia jaunts. The players are still part of Dynamos today. Active participants played in four matches maximum.
Former Dynamos players also constitute the highest number of players listed as “hyperactive participants” who played five and above matches. Seven of the 24 “hyperactive participants” were Dynamos players. Most of the players in this category were Dynamos players at the time and have since left the club. The players in the category include high profile players such as Edward Sadomba, Justice Majabvi, Thomas Sweswe and Willard Manyatera.
A cocktail of denials of those implicated has accompanied the Asiagate report while some players have disputed the number of matches they are alleged to have played. The Asiagate probe team, which compiled the report, comprises chairman Ndumiso Gumede, Elliot Kasu, Fungai Chihuri and Benedict Moyo.
The Asiagate report recommended that a disciplinary committee be established to deal with the matter.
The disciplinary committee should be composed of some of the remaining members of the Zifa Board in exception of those implicated or fingered in the investigations and some selected by Zifa assembly councillors.
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They also recommended that cases of a criminal nature be handed to the police. The report also recommended that all those players who “participated in the games actively or passively and did not officially inform Zifa of the evils that were happening – being paid to lose” be sanctioned.
Following the release of the report, Zifa president Cuthbert Dube said a disciplinary committee should be established when the board meets in the coming three weeks.
