‘Gutted’: The Effect Zimbabwe’s Football Ban Is Having On The Youth

As Zimbabwe continues to remain suspended by FIFA, young players wonder what the future could hold for the sport and their careers By Enock Muchinjo Harare, Zimbabwe – As Zimbabwe remains suspended from international football, players in the country – from a very promising rookie who made his national team debut as a schoolboy to the established professionals plying their trade in Europe’s best leagues – have spoken of their anguish and frustration. In November last year, Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) President Felton Kamambo and his entire executive were removed by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), a government body that controls sport in the country, after being accused of corruption, maladministration and sexual harassment of female match officials. Three months later, Zimbabwe were expelled from the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers after the SRC refused to comply with a FIFA directive to reinstate those officials.