Courtesy: Newsday


Reprieve for Futsal team

by Henry Mhara

The national Futsal (five-a-side) squad have been given a chance to redeem themselves after their 4-2 weekend loss to South Africa in a World Cup first round, first leg qualifier, after the South African Football Association (Safa) agreed to fulfil the return fixture in Harare.

The match will be played next Saturday.
The tie looked set to be decided on a single leg after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) last week wrote to the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) saying the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex was unfit to host the reverse fixture.

Caf had, however, said Safa had the final say on whether they wanted to fulfil the return match in Harare or have it played in South Africa. After some negotiations between Caf and the two associations, they agreed the reverse fixture should be played in Harare.

Zifa communications manager Nicky Dhlamini confirmed the latest developments.
That tie was restricted to a one-off match after the North African country said they had no facilities to stage the reverse fixture.

Zimbabwe will go into the match looking to overturn a two-goal deficit and coach Frank Ferakazi thinks his team is capable of overturning the tables.
Ferakazi believes the two away goals scored by Gift Mugabe and Bernard Chipurura would be vital in the match.

If Zimbabwe win the tie, they will progress to the third round where continental powerhouses Egypt, Morocco and Libya could be possible opponents.

Meanwhile, Angolan officials will officiate the match. Manuel Nancari will be at the centre and will be assisted by Francisco Katemo and Manuel Panheiro.

Pedro Jalane will be the fourth official, while David Fani from Botswana will be match commissioner.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com