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He said this would ensure smooth investigations into the investigations.
Falling short of calling for the named board and council members not to attend the weekend Zifa Assembly meeting, the Zifa Midlands chairman said Fifa in handling the recent World Cup voting rights selling scandal had displayed to Zifa the way to go.

“It may be a coincidence but Fifa has showed us the way to go after suspending two members of their executive linked to the World Cup voting right selling to allow for smooth investigation into the matter and this is the same message we are carrying to the weekend Zifa Assembly meeting.

“As councillors we are saying it does not matter whether you are a vice-president in charge of technical issues or board member in charge of development or a councillor. In the best interests of the game step down from the Zifa Assembly to allow for smooth investigations.

“If Fifa has done it to its executive members who are we as Zifa not to follow that? Our message is clear we are not saying they should quit their posts but step aside. They remain innocent until proven guilty and this is the legal system we have in place,” said Chishanga.

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He urged councillors to stand resolute against any attempt to drown the Asiagate report as the council meeting was deferred two months ago to allow for the completion of the investigations and subsequent report by the three member investigating team made up of Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede, Elliot Kasu, board member finance, and Benedict Moyo, board member competitions.

“For a start last year we opposed the 28 December Asia trip after learning of the shocking deals but those with selfish interests went ahead. Today, if there is an attempt to block the issue even as a matter arising we will not take kindly and as such it is the presence of the named councillors that could tempt the matter to be discussed.

“As such it will be improper to have them (the implicated councillors) debating the issue involving them.  Already we suspect an attempt to block the matter being tabled at the council meeting. We were made to believe the report should have been circulated as announced when this meeting was announced two months ago but this has not been done.

“It does not matter anymore that report is now public and we will go ahead and discuss it either as an agenda or as a matters arising. We have to map the way forward. It is our mandate as councillors to shape the game and this is the opportunity to make a lasting solution positive to the development of the game. Local soccer should not be treated like vegetables which can be sold anywhere,” said Chishanga.

Meanwhile, fresh fears yesterday emerged that more matches involving Monomotapa could have been fixed. A former player who preferred anonymity said there was need for investigations into Monomotapa’s 0-5 humiliation at the hands of Heartland of Nigeria.

“The matchfixing investigations has opened up my conscience to certain incidents before, during and after the loss to Heartland. There were certain players and officials who were always on the phone and their spending was a bit suspicious.

“My conscience has always troubled me since that visit but the mention of the same behaviour during our visit to Tunisia almost confirms suspicions of matchfixing. It has become almost clear to me that some of us were playing matches whose results were pre-determined by certain individuals,” said the player.

Quizzed on the latest revelation, Chishanga who was the head of delegation said nothing looked odd about the defeat unless players were acting.

“To me nothing looked odd about that defeat and nothing was reported to me by anyone but you can never rule out anything. Players and coaches can be good actors,” said Chishanga.

The matchfixing ghost has seemingly torched more allegations and counter allegations in Zimbabwe football.