Pirates Cup storm brewing as Zifa ordered to probe Bosso90
The government-run Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has revealed that the Zimbabwean team – Bosso 90 – that participated in the recently-held Pirates Cup travelled without clearance from authorities.
The SRC has since ordered the Zimbabwe Football Association [Zifa] to investigate Bosso 90’s trip to Johannesburg. In February, Zimbabwe was slapped with a ban by Fifa, barring the country or any of its affiliates from participating in international competitions.
But a fortnight ago, Bosso 90, Highlanders’ development side that plays in the second tier, took part in the Pirates Cup, which drew 56 teams together.
This week, SRC acting director-general Sebastian Garikai revealed that the club’s application to travel was rejected, and the chief executive officer Ronald Moyo was made aware.
“The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) notes the circumstances surrounding the Highlanders junior team’s tour of the Republic of South Africa (RSA).
“Pursuant to their application supported by the association, which was submitted on the 6th of April 2022, the SRC communicated to the Highlanders CEO, Mr Ronald Moyo, that the application had been submitted ‘out-of-time’ given the 30-day window period applicable for requests of that nature,” Garikai said in a statement.
He further said, “the SRC needed to do background due diligence checks on the tournament’s status in relation to Zifa’s suspension by Fifa and Caf.”
Some of the development sides that participated in the tournament included Pirates, Wits, Black Leopards, TS Galaxy, Platinum City Rovers, Polokwane City Rovers, and JDR Stars.
Bosso 90 won all their Group H games, beating Sewungu Double Classic, TT United FC and Total Football on their way to the knockout stage.
Bosso 90 beat TS Galaxy in the last 16 to set up a quarter-final berth against Alexico Club, whom they knocked out 2-1.
Bulawayo side went on to clobber Safa School of Excellence 3-1 in the semi-finals before losing 2-1 to Ambassadors FC.