HARARE – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) says it is recalling its former president Phillip Chiyangwa from his role as COSAFA boss, accusing him of engaging in destabilising activities during Zimbabwe’s disastrous campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.

ZIFA president Felton Kamambo told a news conference in Harare on Thursday that they were also suspending board member Chamu Chiwanza pending disciplinary action.

The Zimbabwean camp was rocked by disagreements over allowances, with players twice threatening not to fulfil fixtures. Zimbabwe lost twice to Egypt and the DRC and drew with Uganda as they failed to progress past the group stage.

Kamambo’s executive appears intent on keeping faith with coach Sunday Chidzambwa and his assistants Rahman Gumbo and Lloyd Mutasa.

ZIFA instead blames a third force for destabilising the players.

“The executive committee was not amused by the chaos that surrounded the Warriors camp at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals and will institute an ad hoc committee to probe several issues that characterised the team’s stay in Egypt. This is in line with section 51 of the ZIFA constitution,” Kamambo said.

“ZIFA has evidence of infiltration of the Warriors camp by a group of vengeful individuals bent on undoing the great work done by the current executive. FIFA, CAF and COSAFA have already been notified of the possible corrective action.”

Kamambo surprisingly defeated Chiyangwa in elections last December. But Chiyangwa had kept his role as COSAFA president.

“Attacks on the reputation of ZIFA are by vengeful elements who wanted, but failed, to monopolise the corridors of football administration,” Kamambo said in reference to his predecessor.

“We are disappointed that Chiyangwa, former ZIFA vice president Omega Sibanda and executive committee member Chamu Chiwanza, working with others, have been trying to destabilise the tranquillity that has been prevailing in local football since the new ZIFA board took over. We have since reported these individuals to FIFA.”

Chiwanza was suspended over accusations ranging from electoral fraud to destabilising the Warriors’ camp at the finals.