The Zimbabwean national soccer team was expelled yesterday from the qualifying series for the 2018 edition of the World Cup tournament by FIFA yesterday, and this will deal a big blow to the country’s tourism industry, local experts have suggested.

FIFA sent the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) packing after it failed to pay an outstanding debt of $60,000 to a former Brazilian coach José Claudinei Georgini, who is nicknamed Valinhos.

Valinhos had managed the national team in 2008, also known as the Warriors despite failing to qualifier for any major tournament, and was due a salary package of $60,000, which Zimbabwe has so far failed to pay.

Those who spoke to Ventures Africa in Harare say that while the expulsion might not significantly hurt the lower-tie soccer team, it is likely to harm the country’s already ailing tourism sector. “This a big loss to our tourism industry,” said Mukudzei Dondo, a local economist. “During the World Cup qualifying games  supporters  of  visiting  teams would  tour our tourism resorts especially the might Victoria Falls.”

Gift Maudza, who is a local football enthusiast and a university of Zimbabwe student, believes heads should roll at the country’s football organisation. “It doesn’t make sense to be expelled from a FIFA World Cup competition for a paltry $60,000 debt to a coach,” Gift fumes. “It’s a disaster, our image has been tarnished and tourism industry will be affected.”

Zimbabwe has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup tournament, but hopes had risen that this could finally be country’s breakthrough year, since ZIFA had embarked on grassroot football development.

Sports journalist Sakheleni Khumalo, however, feels this ban is a blessing in disguise, as it allows the country more time to focus on its developmental projects and build a sustainable platform for long-term success.

Zimbabwe currently ranks 119 on FIFA football rankings for national soccer teams.

By George Mpofu