By Steve Vickers BBC Sport, Harare

Pamire was sacked on Saturday

Zimbabwe risks missing out on their first Nations Cup, should the decision to dismiss Vincent Pamire, acting chairman of the country's Football Association, Zifa, be allowed to stand.

The warning was given by Ismail Bhamjee, the president of the Confederation of Southern African Football (Cosafa) .

Bhamjee said Fifa's decision to allow Pamire remain in office, until fresh elections are conducted by the end of September, remains valid.

"Cosafa recognises the Vincent Pamire-led Zifa board as the legitimate authority running Zifa," said Bhamjee, who is also a Caf and Fifa executive member.

"The official position is that the road map set out by Fifa is to be followed and implemented."

The Zifa council, the organisation's supreme decision-making body, voted overwhelmingly to remove Pamire from his post on Saturday. He was accused of 'gross maladministration.'

Bhamjee also warned that Zimbabwe could be stopped from playing in Sunday's Cosafa Cup semi-final against Swaziland.

Cosafa recognises the Vincent Pamire-led Zifa board as the legitimate authority Ismail Bhamjee

"We will consider the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Cosafa Cup if the Pamire-led board is prevented from exercising its authority."

Suleiman Habuba, Caf's director of communications, said the continental body is following the crisis within Zifa.

"[Caf president] Issa Hayatou is aware of the situation, which we are following with great concern."

Caf executive member Molefi Oliphant is expected to be present at another Zifa council meeting fixed for this weekend, where the issue of Pamire's removal will be discussed.