Zimbabwean football has suffered a major setback

Zimbabwean football has suffered a major setback after FIFA decided to eliminate them from the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers – even before it has begun – due to the outstanding payments that the national team have with former coach Jose ClaudineiGeorgini.

Zimbabwe are currently coached by Ian Gorowa and the team has largely been playing in friendly matches and African tournaments due to their latest suspension from FIFA. The lack of support from the government means that Zimbabwean FA finds itself in a huge amount of debt. As a result, they have been unable to pay their former coach.

The communications manager of the Zimbabwe FA says that they will be appealing against this decision by the world football Council. However, any resolution will have to be swift since the World Cup qualifying matches will start from October once the draw is made in July. Zimbabwe have never qualified for a World Cup tournament and they do not seem in a great position to do so once again. The team were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the qualification stage to add to the misery. The last competitive match played by Zimbabwe was back in June 2014 when they were involved in a 2-2 draw against Tanzania during the two legged qualification match. (more…)

São Paulo recent form could have won Cruzeiro Title

São Paulo have shown enough form in recent months to suggest that they could have won the title a Cruzeiro had they been more consistent earlier in the campaign. Cruzeiro have a seven-point advantage over São Paulo after 36 matches in the season.

There are only two games left in the Brazilian Serie A, but São Paulo also have the opportunity to do well in the Copa Sudamericana. The quarter-final match with Elemec gives a lot of positivity to São Paulo given that they managed a 4-2 win in the first leg. The return leg will be away from home in Ecuador. Hence, it is not a foregone conclusion that they will reach the finals.

Midfielder Kaka, who is on loan from Orlando City, says that he is confident that the Brazilian club can complete the job in the second leg. After all, São Paulo have been defeated only twice in the last nine matches.

One of those defeats was against Atlético Mineiro, who are one of the top teams in Brazil right now. It is likely that Kaka may not play in Brazilian football anymore. He will be moving to Orlando City for the new MLS season in 2015. For the moment, he is just enjoying playing in Brazil. The former AC Milan man has made 18 appearances and scored two goals.

“Our form is very good, and we are growing together at the right time. The team has a strong group, even with the rotation of the players.We have already had a few suspensions and injuries but the group has adapted and found a way to play,” said the midfielder on the club’s official site. São Paulo prepared for this match by getting a 2-1 win over Criciúma in the league. Kaka was completely rested for this match.