THE Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has announced that it will not make any special exceptions for players after dropping Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Sean Fusire from the national team squad.
Fusire was reportedly cut from the team ahead of this week’s two World Cup qualifiers after demanding business class travel.
The Warriors are in Ivory Coast to face Benin on Friday before heading to South Africa, where they will host Rwanda on September 9 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
Both Zimbabwe and Benin are playing their home matches on neutral ground due to the lack of Confederation of African Football-approved stadiums in their home countries.
Warriors coach Michael Nees, who is looking to revive the team’s campaign after a slow start, named a 24-man squad for the two matches.
However, the team has faced two withdrawals, with German-based Jonah Fabisch out due to injury, and Fusire dropped.
Zifa confirmed it decided to remove the England-based star, who has two national team caps, after he “made demands whose financial implications the association could not fulfil”.
A Zifa official revealed to this publication that contrary to reports that Fusire wanted to bring his physician to Warriors camp, he insisted on business class travel to join the team in Ivory Coast.
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Zifa stated that it could not meet the demand as all other players and staff, including association president Nqobile Magwizi, are booked in economy class for official travel.
The official noted that Fusire had previously travelled in economy class for the Warriors’ friendly matches in Morocco in June, where he made his debut.
“Zifa’s policy is that all players and officials are booked in economy class,” the official explained.
“But if one decides they want business class travel, they then upgrade themselves using personal resources. Some players usually do that.
“That was the message communicated to Fusire, but he insisted to coach Michael Nees that he must be booked in business class. Unfortunately, the association could not make an exception, and he had to be dropped.”
When asked about Fusire’s future with the national team following the debacle, the official stated: “It’s all up to him really. The door remains open to all players good enough to play for the national team.”
In a statement last night, Fusire confirmed that his absence was due to a disagreement over his travel itinerary, not a lack of commitment to the team or his country.
The player stated that due to his history of injuries and the demanding travel schedule of over 40 hours, he requested a flight upgrade from economy to either business or premium economy to ensure he would be in peak physical condition for the games.
When this was declined, he made a more modest request. He asked for an upgrade for just the 11-hour return flight from South Africa to the United Kingdom, offering to use his owed allowances to help cover the cost.
However, Fusire said there was no further communication from officials after this final offer.
Feeling uncomfortable traveling without a resolution, he decided to pull out.
Fusire expressed his disappointment, reiterating his pride in playing for Zimbabwe, and stated that his decision was not financially motivated, but was based solely on logistical and health concerns.
He ended his statement by wishing his teammates success and expressing his hope to play for the national team again in the future.
Meanwhile, Fabisch was been replaced by Scottland forward Tymon Machope, while Reading defender Tivonge Rushesha was brought in for Fusire.
The Warriors, including captain Marvelous Nakamba and all locally and South Africa-based players, arrived in Abidjan on Sunday.
The majority of the Europe-based contingent were expected to arrive last night, with Italy-based Jordan Zemura being the last to join the group today.
Vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, who is suspended for the Benin match, will meet the squad in Johannesburg for the Rwanda game.
Zimbabwe’s chances of reaching the World Cup finals are slim, as they currently sit at the bottom of Group C with only four points from six matches, trailing leaders South Africa by nine points.
However, Nees views these matches as more than just a quest for points.
They are a critical opportunity to test players and prepare the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in December.
Notably absent from the squad is Warriors star Khama Billiat, whom Zifa said is injured, despite him featuring for his club Scottland over the weekend.
Goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva is also sidelined with an injury, while midfielder Andy Rinomhota requested to be excused to finalise a move to a new club after leaving English side Cardiff in June.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa
Defenders: Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Teenage Hadebe, Brandon Galloway, Godknows Murwira, Emmanuel Jalai, Jordan Zemura, Divine Lunga
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Tivonge Rushesha, Prosper Padera
Forwards: Tawanda Chirewa, Knowledge Musona, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Bill Antonio, Tawanda Maswanhise, Walter Musona, Tino Kadewere, Thando Ngwenya, Tymon Machope
