Sports
Match- Fixing: Fifa Urges Zimbabwe To Take Action
Football’s world governing body Fifa has asked the Zimbabwe Football Association Zifa to take urgent action on the match-fixing scandal that has rocked the country.
An investigation by Zifa has concluded that national team players were paid to lose matches by an Asian betting syndicate in December 2009.
And now, Fifa has directed Zifa to sanction anyone involved.
Officials and players could face lengthy bans following the outcome of the report.
The allegations of match-fixing centre on a tour where Zimbabwe lost 3-0 to Thailand and 6-0 to Syria.
The report also said money was sent from the betting syndicate to Zifa chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya.
Zifa programmes officer Jonathan Musavengana is also accused of receiving “a bunch of US dollars” from a representative of the syndicate.
Rushwaya and Musavengana, who have been serving suspensions since the inquiry began in August, both strongly deny the allegations levelled against them.
Method Mwanjali, who captained Zimbabwe on the tour, says that a man from Singapore, alleged to be the agent of a betting syndicate sat on the bench during some of the games.
“Raja (the agent) had come to our dressing room before kick-off and told us to lose to Thailand by 1-0. We were supposed to concede a goal in the 20th minute,” Mwanjali told the Zifa inquiry.
“We were scored in the 44th minute but not by design. For that Raja was visibly angry and came to the dressing room at half-time and blew his top.”
“We were handsomely paid $1,000 [about £600] for losing. The money was paid at the airport as we were about to go home.”
The Zimbabwe team consisted entirely of locally based players and left the country without clearance from Zifa and the government-run Sports Commission.
A decision on the matter will be taken by Zifa when it meets at a later date.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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