England-based midfielder Sean Fusire has spoken out following his unexpected removal from Zimbabwe’s squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.
Fusire, who plays for Sheffield Wednesday, was initially included in the Warriors squad but was replaced on Sunday by Tivonge Rushesha, as confirmed by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
According to ZIFA, Fusire was excluded due to what they described as unreasonable financial demands. However, the midfielder took to social media Monday evening to clarify his position and share what really happened from his side.
“After being notified of my selection and receiving my travel itinerary, I asked for details about the total flight time, which turned out to exceed 40 hours,” Fusire explained.
Citing concerns over his injury history and the physical toll such long travel could take, he requested a flight upgrade, emphasizing that his aim was to ensure he arrived fit for national duty and returned in good condition for club commitments.
“I asked if my flights could be upgraded to either business class or at least premium economy. When that was denied, I offered to take all legs in economy, except the final one—South Africa back to the UK,” he said.
Fusire also revealed he offered a compromise by asking ZIFA to deduct the cost of the upgrade from his unpaid allowances from a previous national team camp.
“I even suggested using my outstanding dues from the last call-up to cover the upgrade cost. I waited for a reply from the official I was dealing with, but received none. At that point, I didn’t feel comfortable proceeding with travel without clarity,” Fusire added.
His statement appears to contradict ZIFA’s version of events and has sparked debate over the handling of player welfare and logistics within the national team setup.
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