Zimbabwe look set to avoid expulsion from qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup ©ZIFA

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) took its first step towards avoiding expulsion from qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after newly-elected President Phillip Chiyangwa signed a deal with businessman Wicknell Chivhayo to write off some of the money owed to former coach Tom Saintfiet.

World football’s governing body had warned that the African country they risked being thrown out if they did not pay the Belgian for his brief stint in charge of the Zimbabwe team by the January 4 deadline.

The Harare-based Chivhayo claims he has already wired one payment to Saintifiet’s lawyers and will make another payment in January, before transferring more money to ZIFA.

Saintifiet served just one day in the role before being deported for rushing through a work visa, according to Zimbabwean publication The Chronicle.

The agreement followed another difficult period for the organisation after they controversially decided to sack Kalisto Pasuwa and opted to disband the senior team’s training camp ahead of the African Nations Championship, due to get underway in Rwanda on January 16.

ZIFA have since apologised for the issues and offered a contract to Pasuwa.

Zimbabwe were embroiled in turmoil earlier this year when they were expelled from qualifying for the 2018 World Cup for failing to pay former coach José Claudinei Georgini, who managed the national team from January to November 2008.

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee took the action "as a result of the non-payment of an outstanding debt" to the Brazilian, believed to be $67,000 (£45,000/€61,000).

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Newly-elected ZIFA President Phillip Chiyangwa looks to have avoided a repeat of Zimbabwe being thrown out of World Cup qualifying by signing a deal with businessman Wicknell Chivhayo ©ZIFA

“During the time I was campaigning for the post several people pledged to support me if I won and these are some of the pledges that are coming now,” Chiyangwa said.

“Some of the money will be used to pay Tom Saintifiet so that we’ll be able to take part in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

“We’re grateful for the gesture and hope the money will go along way.”

It is also hoped the donation from Chivhayo will go some way to clearing ZIFA’s debt, which is thought to be around $6 million (£4 million/€5.5 million).

The financial difficulties facing the organisation will be scrutinised in an upcoming independent audit by international accountancy firm KPMG.

Chiyangwa was elected as ZIFA President earlier this month as he secured 40 votes to beat off competition from opponents Trevor Carelse-Juul, Leslie Gwindi and James Takavada.