Farai Dziva|ZIFA has cited corruption as the reason for its massive revenue loss.

Zifa reported a deficit of $105 475,49 despite grossing close to half a million in revenue from the match. A reported 38 787 people were in the stadium that has a capacity of 60 000.

In an interview with The Herald, a ZIFA official said the review committee came to a conclusion that the numbers in the records and those obtained on the ground did not tally.

He added that 1 000 people were turned away at the gates after they were caught with fake tickets.

“Obviously, where corruption takes place, we stand fleeced.
“As a committee, we really felt that the 38 000 was not exactly the number of people that got in.

“That is why I gave the example of those 1 000 that were turned away, where did they go? I believe they eventually got into the stadium, by hook or crook,’’ said Machana.

“And, if you say they were holding $10 tickets, it then means $10 000 gone. So, we can’t rule out that we were fleeced,” said Machana.
ZIFA had announced that tickets were to be sold online, but they abandoned the system a few days before the match following a low uptake.

The move allowed an opportunity for dirty deals and Machana says the association has now banned bouncers at the future national team games as a way to curb the corruption.

“One biggest grey area we have picked is the use of bouncers as stewards.
“In fact, we picked up that a lot of corruption was happening through that kind of people and we had an incident when we caught one who had a booklet where people were coming in, take the ticket and he doesn’t tear them and will give to other people outside,” he added.