ZIFA have deferred until next week the release of the names of the first 30 players to be cleared of match-fixing allegations following the postponement of a board meeting that could have taken place in Harare yesterday. The association had been expected to announce the first group of players and officials, who have been cleared of any wrong-doing, following a compilation of the names by the Independent Ethics Committee this week.

But it emerged that Zifa had to withhold the publication of the names until the board had deliberated on the matter.

A Zifa board meeting could have been held yesterday but the emergency meeting was postponed to next Friday after it emerged that association president Cuthbert Dube and Premier Soccer League chairman Twine Phiri were the only members available.

Dube also confirmed the postponement of the meeting and indicated that the names would remain embargoed until the board had had an opportunity to discuss the matter.

“The Independent Ethics Committee have come up with the list of players and other individuals they have recommended for clearing but this is a matter which the full board must first look at before we make the names public.

“It would not be proper too for the other board members to only read about it in the Press without discussing the matter.

“We would have held a meeting today (yesterday) but it is only myself and Twine Phiri who are around, the others are out of town on different business and some are even out of the country.

“So we will now announce the names after our board meeting next Friday which will also coincide with the groundbreaking ceremony at the Zifa Village,’’ Dube said.

The Independent Ethics Committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ahmed Ebrahim, this week indicated that the evidence they had gathered so far had shown that at least 30 players needed to be cleared.

The move by the Ebrahim committee to name the first batch of players to be exonerated from match-fixing allegations is also expected to come as sweet news to Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo as he prepares to assemble a squad that will kick-start Zimbabwe’s 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.

Zimbabwe will get their bid for a place the 2014 World Cup with a home assignment against Guinea at Rufaro on June 3.

The Warriors will then travel to Mozambique the following weekend for another World Cup qualifier against the Mambas. Gumbo’s men will then return to familiar home turf for the return leg of their 2013 African Cup of Nations first round clash against Burundi .

Ebrahim’s committee is also expected to use the month of May to interview more foreign-based players and some officials as they seek to cover more ground in their efforts to help Zifa close the Asiagate chapter.

The retired judge also hinted that his committee may also have to travel outside the country in a bid to complete their probe and ascertain who was guilty or innocent in the scam.

“There may be necessity for the team of investigators to travel externally to interview officials of hosting teams during the tours concerned by the Zimbabwe teams. “Naturally proper protocol will have to be followed for this to be permitted.”

Zifa Northern Region Division On Fixtures

(All matches kick off at 3pm unless stated)

Today: Blue Jets v Black Rhinos (Rimuka), Flame Lily v Sky Link (Chikurubi); Twalumba v Jumbo Giants (Rufaro); DStv Rangers v Mwana Africa (Old Hararians); Power Master v ZPC (Dzivarasekwa);

Tomorrow: DC Academy v Banket (Dzivarasekwa); Eiffel Flats v Scotia (Rimuka); Aces v JMC (Gwanzura).