Olympic Qualifier Called Off After Hosts Fail To Turn Up

The 2020 Olympic qualifier between Zimbabwe and Zambia was on Sunday thrown in jeopardy after the hosts Mighty Warriors failed to arrive at National Sports Stadium in Harare.

The reasons for the postponement will now be put to the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Competitions Committee as Zimbabwe are reported to have asked for the game to be pushed forward to Monday.

Reports indicate that the hosts blamed the failure to arrive for the game due to withdrawal of Blue Swallows, Correctional Queens and Black Rhinos players from the residential camp.

The teams are said to have withdrawn their players in protest of bonuses that haven’t been paid in full, a move that left coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda with no tools to work with hours before the return match against the She-Polopolo.

“This (boycott) is the language the management appears to understand better,” explained a first-team player who wished not to be named.

Ducor Sports understands that the accrued monies consist of allowances of the COSAFA Women Championship which was held last month.

Mighty Warriors travelled over 1000km to and from Lusaka by road to fulfil the first leg encounter which they lost 5-0 in a match played at Nkoloma Stadium.

This is the first time that the Mighty Warriors are going on strike this year. The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Communications and Competition manager, Xolisani Gwesela was unavailable for comment.

Zambia are likely to be handed a 3-0 scoreline while Zimbabwe, who represented Africa at the 2014 Olympics, are now facing a heavy punishment which could come as a ban.