ZiMBABWE’S participation at the 2019 AFCON finals was hanging in the balance last night after a damaging stalemate between the Warriors and ZIFA over payments which the players are demanding.

After a number of meetings between the two parties which dragged into the night, ZIFA advised the players they were contemplating the possibility of withdrawing the team from the tournament.

The players were called in to be briefed about the decision to withdraw the team after they had threatened not to resume training tonight unless they were paid the remaining US$12 500 each by today.

In return, the Warriors said they were agreeable to being sent home as early as today, without playing their final game against DRC on Sunday.
They asked ZIFA leaders to sort out their travel arrangements as early as possible.

The Warriors had told the ZIFA officials, who promised them US$5 500 would be paid into their accounts today, that they would not train this evening until their full outstanding amount reflected in their banks.

That money included the US$2 500 ZIFA said they had secured for each of the players, and the US$3 000 for each of the Warriors, which was promised by the fundraising committee.

That would have left the Warriors needing US$5 000 appearance fees, and US$3 000 bonuses for the draw against Uganda ahead of the match against the DRC.

However, things deteriorated sharply during the night and the Warriors ended demanding their entire dues by today or they would not train.

ZIFA officials were then left scrambling to try and save the situation, and when it became apparent nothing would materialise, they sent spokesman Xolisani Gwesela to check with CAF the cost of withdrawing from the tournament.State media