Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Marshall Munetsi has once again vocalised his disappointment at Zimbabwe being unable to compete on the international stage.
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The Stade Reims star recently joined the Global Player Council as a member to continue his efforts to make his pleas heard after Zimbabwe were banned from international football by FIFA last year.
The suspension came as a result of government interference at Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), with the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) also accusing the body of condoning abuse of women referees.
It is, however, the players who have ultimately suffered, such as ex-Pirates midfielder Munetsi, who issued a statement on the FIFRO website to call for change.
"This month, we could have been playing World Cup semi-finalists Morocco – the only African team ever to make the final four on the global stage – and it would have been a celebration," his statement read.
"Their first competitive game on the back of that historic World Cup run would have been against Zimbabwe. The country has been denied what would have been such a special occasion.
"So, this stand-off between the SRC and the association (ZIFA), which caused the national team to be suspended by FIFA, is having that negative social-economic impact on the country.
"So many Zimbabwean players are being denied a great opportunity here, so many players in their prime being unable to play on the continental and international stage.
"But most importantly, Zimbabwe's suspension is having a negative socio-economic effect on the country. I feel the association should have done better when it came to discussing with FIFA and finding a possible solution not to affect the young generation that is there – because the talent in Zimbabwe is there.
"It has been seen by players that have moved to Europe and also by me playing here in France."
Zimbabwe were drawn alongside South Africa, Morocco and Liberia in Group K of qualifying for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, with the group having since been reduced to just three teams.
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