Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA’S suspension axe has fallen on technical director Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe, although the national association’s officials have remained mum on the reasons.
Jongwe, who is believed to have reported match-fixing threats that have muddied Zimbabwean football to Zifa president Philip Chiyangwa, now awaits a hearing.
Jongwe joins the queue of people suspended from all football related matters awaiting investigations and hearings by Zifa.
Although it is not clear why Jongwe has been suspended, sources say the matter involved issues of insubordination.
Sources also said the scandalous inclusion of China-based Nyasha Mushekwi’s ex-wife in the national team technical staff for the Warriors’ away match against Swaziland in Mbabane on Good Friday triggered the suspension.
Mushekwi allegedly refused to start the game because of the presence of his ex-wife, who was eventually chucked out of the Warriors’ delegation and flew back to Zimbabwe on Friday morning.
As technical director, Jongwe’s duties also include establishing an efficient coaching structure for the national association and he could be a scapegoat for the inclusion of Mushekwi’s wife, who, however, is said to be linked a high-ranking board official.
Allegations of match-fixing also circulated in social media circles, but Jongwe laughed them off yesterday.
“What I can only confirm to you is that I’ve been suspended. My conscience is clear because I know that whatever I did, it was in the best interest of my country and the game. I can’t comment any further, but you will get to know the reasons for my suspension from Zifa,” Jongwe said.
Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze was also coy about Jongwe’s suspension.
“He’s suspended and there are no further comments,” said Mashingaidze.
Jongwe joins Zifa executive committee member Edzai Kasinauyo and Hwange coach Nation Dube, who were suspended at the beginning of the month, but have yet to be provided with a charge sheet.
The two stand accused of involvement in a sophisticated match-fixing scandal that sought to throw the Warriors’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Swaziland.
Last week, Jongwe claimed that he was the first person to catch wind of the plot to fix the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier matches between the Warriors and Sihlangu.
Jongwe claimed that he reacted swiftly to expose the scandal after getting information from whistleblower Leeroy Waguta by reporting the matter to Chiyangwa, who at the time was in the company of Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane.