FIFA suspended Warriors in 2023 AFCON qualifiers draw, with conditions

Zimbabwe has been given a glimmer of hope to participate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, after CAF included the Warriors in the draw with a condition attached.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has placed the Warriors in the group stage draw set to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 19th of this month, just four days before the ZIFA Extra Ordinary Congress.

CAF has put the Warriors in Pot 3, but issued a statement that Zimbabwe and Kenya can only take part in the qualifiers if the suspension is lifted two weeks before match day one.

“Reference to the suspension of Kenya and Zimbabwe by FIFA from all football activities, in case the suspension is not lifted two (2) weeks before their first matchday of the qualifiers; both associations will be considered as losers and eliminated from the competition,” read the statement.

World football governing body FIFA suspended Zimbabwe from taking part in international football citing third party interference in the running of the game, after the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), suspended the Felton Kamambo-led ZIFA board on various allegatuons.

FIFA has since indicated that the suspension will only be lifted if the Kamambo-led administration is reinstated.

The 2023 AFCON qualifiers are provisionally set to start on the first weekend of June, which means Zimbabwe has to get its house in order by the second week of May to be allowed to participate. -ZBC