Tag: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe friendly match turned down.

As part of the preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2015 , the FFIRI seemed to have arranged a rare friendly match with Zimbabwe in Tehran. However , for reasons that are only known to the federation , this friendly like many others in the last few years has been cancelled. It is presumed , it must have something to do with money or lack of it by the federation.

On hearing that Iran is setting a training camp next door in South Africa, and to compensate for the cancelled match in Azadi , the Zimbabwe Football Federation wrote to its Iranian counterpart offering an alternative by  suggesting a friendly match in Johannesburg on 22nd December, as reported by ISNA. The Zimbabweans stated in the letter that it will forgo the standard match fees but needs the Iranians to pay for the logistics of the squad only (Air fare and Hotel accommodations) , FFIRI calculated the amount to be approximately US$ 40,000 which it considers to be excessive and above its capability , hence it declined the offer from the African country.

FFIRI is actively looking at South African sides for friendly matches at the camp provided it costs nothing or a small fee at best.

FIFA Refuses to allow Zimbabwe vs Iran match.

FFIRI’s desperate attempt to find an opponent for Team Melli practice match in Tehran, hit another snag.  Zimbabwe was selected to play against Team Melli in Azadi on the 12th Nov. However, this same country has already arranged a friendly match against Morocco on the 16th and hence FIFA refused to allow this match to proceed.

According to FIFA Rules regulating international matches and to avoid excessive fatigue on players on their return to club duties after their international break or FIFA day , a team cannot play two consecutive matches in two different continents , unless 3 days minimum has elapsed and a maximum of not more than 5 hours flying between the two venues is flown.

Based on Zimbabwe schedule, the request by FFIRI for the issue of clearance for international match was denied.

FFIRI are known to have arbitrary, knee-jerk reaction in arranging international matches. After all these years in office, the personnel there have yet to master the mechanism of arranging friendly matches.  They also seem to have less regards to long term planning and scheduling preferring to deal with international friendly matches in an auction style. This would be in form of finding the cheapest and first available teams to play with in the quickest time possible. Failure to arrange matches, like most frequently , they blame the lack of time for such let down.   

Team Melli is arranging a training camp for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2015.