World Cup 2022 Qualifier: Somalia, Zimbabwe Game Postponed

World football governing body, FIFA, has postponed 2022 World Cup qualifier between Somalia and Zimbabwe.

The match was slated for Sunday in Harare but the East Africans failed to secure a flight in time to Zimbabwe for the crucial second leg tie.

Zimbabwe Football Federation (ZIFA) confirmed the developments on Thursday after their Somali counterparts engaged FIFA in a bid to push the game forward.

“We wish to advise all football stakeholders that following a request from the Somali Football Federation (SFF) and consultations with the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), our 2022 World Cup preliminary qualifier against Somalia has been rescheduled,” ZIFA announced in a statement.

“The match will now be played on Tuesday 10 September 2019 after SFF failed to secure flights to Zimbabwe in time for the initial fixture date which was Sunday, September 8.”

The venue of the match has also been moved from Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo to the National Sports Stadium in Harare as Zimbabwe U-23 will be using the venue for Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on the same date.

“We understand the inconvenience this development presents to all stakeholders and we unreservedly apologise for the unexpected developments,” the statement further reads.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “In the spirit of fair play, African solidarity, brotherhood and togetherness, we felt the Somali Football Federation’s request was reasonable and sincere, thus we had to consent, otherwise the match would not have taken place at all.”   [/perfectpullquote]

Tickets that have been purchased can be used on Tuesday and those who cannot attend the match can collect a refund at the federation’s offices on Thursday.

Ocean Stars contingent was to travel on Friday hour after the first leg that will be played in Djibouti this Friday 5 September at the Stade Gouled, but the federation did not manage to get a flight to Zimbabwe.