Zimbabwean midfielder faces FIFA anti-doping ban

Harare, Oct 15 (IANS) FIFA has suspended Zimbabwean midfielder Chafa Devon Taitamba for six months after he was found using prohibited drugs in a World Cup preliminary match in June.

Taitamba, 22, is the first Zimbabwean football player banned by the FIFA. He has been suspended from playing after testing positive for banned drugs after the match between Zimbabwe and Egypt here June 9, 2013, reports Xinhua.

Zimbabwe lost 2-4 to Egypt in the game, and finished last in the group that includes Egypt, Guinea, and Mozambique.

The player’s club Dynamos had in the past backed Taitamba and retained him on the team despite the scandal that was first disclosed in August.

State media once touted Taitamba as “an outstanding player” in the domestic Premiership this season.