Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has come under fire from football lovers for banning Dynamos striker Evans Gwekwerere The former Douglas Warriors and Moroka Swallows striker usually pulls up his soccer jersey to reveal the T-shirt each time he scores a goal. Gwekwerere said he celebrated in that manner because he was a born again Christian. ZIFA Chief Executive Henrietta Rushwaya recently warned the player that showing the T shirt was against FIFA rules, which prohibited portrayal of messages carrying political or religious messages.
However, football fans have rallied behind Gwekwerere, saying Zifa was fussing for nothing as this was not a big issue. They said the player must be left alone because the message was not offensive or political. “This is no big deal, most people love Jesus and there is no point in trying to sanction this player, said a soccer fan from Harares Warren Park. ZIFA should be concentrating on more pertinent issues like paying their bills instead of this.” Other fans said Christianity helped to instil discipline in young players like Gwekwerere.