adminBlessing Malinganiza
ZIFA president Gift Banda is set to meet CAF leaders in Morocco this month as part of efforts to try and get Zimbabwe’s suspension from international football lifted.
Banda, and his ZIFA board, have been on a charm offensive to try and get the country back into international football.
Yesterday, they met former ZIFA boss, Philip Chiyangwa, who has a number of influential contacts in the game, at both CAF and FIFA.
It was revealed yesterday that Chiyangwa played an influential role in helping Banda meet the new COSAFA leaders in Johannesburg recently.
“The next mission is to meet the CAF bosses and the plan right now is to speak to them in Morocco this month,” Banda said.
“After that, depending on how things move, we will then see whether we can meet the FIFA leaders.”
He said they were also trying to repair bridges, on the domestic front, after years of acrimony and they will be meeting all the former ZIFA leaders.
Their next meeting is with Cuthbert Dube.
“We are doing this because we have realised that, with most of the past executives, there was always bad blood between the outgoing president and the incoming president.
“This led to the ‘Pull Him Down’ syndrome, which we see in our game.
“So, we are saying let’s break that barrier and recognise what the past leaders did and, if possible, learn from them.
“It’s of paramount importance to acknowledge the good things that they have done and we are coming in to tap in from their knowledge and wisdom that they have for our football to be back at the top again.
“I think you will all agree with me that our football has been in intensive care and we have to take it out by engaging every stakeholder in the football fraternity so that we do the right things.
“Football is not for individuals, we are here today and tomorrow others will come so let those who come after us, inherit good structures that will make our football prosperous.”
Chiyangwa said he appreciates the efforts being made by the new ZIFA president.
“I always want to appreciate those who appreciate me, the last time I ran ZIFA, surely we won trophies.
“Everybody was excited by the resurgence of junior football and women’s soccer.
“Opportunities were given to youngsters to play in the national teams and doors were opened for those who were abroad to come and play here and those that were here to start joining all sorts of clubs out there.
“So, that’s the sort of spirit that we were sharing (with Banda and ZIFA board members).
“It’s important to ensure that the game is played. People may make noise here and that but football must be the winner.”
He added:
“Turning to the issue of the FIFA suspension, that’s where I want to work with them and the Government to ensure that the suspension is lifted, football is played and we all enjoy it.
“I want to see Zimbabwean teams participating and winning trophies.
“That’s what I promised my brother (Banda). For me, now it’s all for fun because I am no longer going to be ZIFA president or any president of a football organisation.”
Online Reporter