Capitalk Reporter |  1 year ago | sport

The Zimbabwe Warriors will not be included in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw, which is set to take place next week after FIFA banned them from competing in any international events.

FIFA's sanction followed the Sports Commission's suspension of ZIFA's Board of Directors as they sought to resolve issues with the country's football administration. The 2023 AFCON draw will take place in Ivory Coast, with qualifying beginning in June.

Zimbabwe and Kenya are the only two countries that have been automatically disqualified from the draw. CAF announced in a news release issued over the weekend that the draw for the event, which is only open to players who play football in their home nation, would take place on April 28. The qualifications for the games will begin in July.

Locally based Zimbabwean players will miss an opportunity to display their talent on a larger platform, which has previously helped a number of players gain contracts outside the nation.