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Philip Chiyangwa : Special Correspondent

THE story doing the rounds of us (ZIFA) having failed to pay the players and the issue of the $5 given to them in some street corner, is false, mischievous, very malicious and obviously, defamatory. Obviously, you can see there were some unwanted guests who appeared at the airport (Harare International Airport).The ZOC (Zimbabwe Olympic Committee) is responsible for these players (Mighty Warriors when they are on Olympic Games duty) until they are back home.

It has nothing to do with ZIFA.

So, I want to put it on record that the question of my benevolence should not be abused whenever there is an opportunity for people to associate me with their ills.

There was no ZIFA person involved today, it was ZOC and when the players disbursed, it was after they had finished their business with ZOC and whatever you are hearing (about the Mighty Warriors getting $5 each on their return) has nothing to do with ZIFA, or me, or my administration.

We have money (for the Mighty Warriors), which will be distributed next week, together with their stands.

That money could have been given to the team, (yesterday) but the players had gone.

It had nothing to do with the money they were given by ZOC and please take it on record that ZIFA is not to be associated with what is being peddled by mischievous and malicious people.

Philip Chiyangwa is the president of ZIFA and issued this statement late last night amid a flood of social media reports that the Association had abandoned the Mighty Warriors on their return home.