The move by FIFA to ban Zimbabwe from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers has not come as a surprise as events at Number 53 Livingstone Avenue have always been shrouded in secrecy and a disaster was always waiting to happen.
Analysts say FIFA’s ban would have ripple effects of a fall in rankings and the decline in quality of football standards.
A ban from the 2018 World Cup has sparked outrage within the local football fraternity.
There is agreement the ban will impact negatively on Zimbabwean football.
On the same day, Zimbabwe was being banned, the world football governing body FIFA released the latest rankings where Zimbabwe tumbled to 124 on the globe.
Footballers Union of Zimbabwe secretary general Paul Gundani says being expelled from the 2018 World Cup will mean a further decline on the FIFA rankings ladder.
Apart from a fall in rankings former Warriors striker Charlie Jones says non-participation in 2018 World Cup qualifiers is a huge blow for the players whose chances of making it in big leagues in Europe will be next to none.
ZIFA has no clue and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Mashingaidze can only talk of working on presenting to FIFA a dossier outlining the football mother body’s debt crisis.
The Valinhos debt saga is only a tip of the iceberg.
Norman Mapeza is owed a staggering US$245 000.
Charles Dzvairo, who was team manager during the Valinhos era is owed US$37 000 and the issue is before the courts.
Local coach Sunday Chidzambwa is owed US$67 000 by ZIFA.
The matter is also before the courts.
Ian Gorowa is understood to be owed over US$80 000.
ZIFA also owes Tom Saintfiet who was briefly hired before his contract was terminated.
ZIFA property including the artificial turf bought by FIFA has already been auctioned to settle debts owed to Nicholette Dhlamini.
ZIFA’s debt is over US$4 million.
Another heartbreak for local fans is in the offing as ZIFA has no money to send the Under 23 team to Cameroon for the All Africa Games qualifier.