FIFA president Gianni Infantino is expected in Harare at around 6PM Zimbabwean time and will be welcomed at the International Airport by ZIFA president and host Philip Chiyangwa.

Chiyangwa is hosting the FIFA president and 24 national football association leaders from Africa at his 58th birthday celebration party at the Harare International Conference Centre this evening.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura is also coming to Zimbabwe.

“The FIFA president, we expect him here in Harare at around 6 in the evening. As we speak some of the FA leaders from various countries are on their way,” Chiyangwa told SportsZone on Thursday morning.

FIFA president Infantino is expected to meet President Mugabe at State House on Friday morning before hosting a press conference in Harare.

He will also tour the ZIFA Village before  departing Harare on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile the organizing committee behind the historic visit of Infantino  has denied that Chiyangwa’s birthday bash could be used as a platform to launch the battle to topple long serving CAF president Issa Hayatou.

“As a committee, we can assure you that there is not going to be any meeting to discuss crucial football matters with the FIFA president.

“Celebrations are the main reason,” organizing committee chairperson Chamu Chiwanza was quoted in the Herald.

Speculation is rife that the meeting could used to plot the downfall of Hayatou who is seeking an 8th term in next month’s elections.

The CAF president frantically tried to stop the Harare bash on technical grounds but failed and was also quoted by South African media recently saying he was unfazed.

Hayatou will lock horns with president of Madagascar Football federation Ahmad Ahmad on March 18 for the right to rule African soccer.