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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube left Zimbabwe yesterday for the Fifa World Cup semi-finals and final in Brazil.
The association’s chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze is expected to fly out today.
Xolisani Gwesela, the Zifa spokesperson, confirmed yesterday that the two administrators would be at the finals.
“The president will leave later today, the chief executive officer will leave tomorrow,” said Gwesela yesterday.
Asked on who was funding the trip of the two after the country was represented at the official opening of the tournament, Gwesela dismissed speculation that it was from development funds.
He said: “All expenses for the trip are paid by Fifa.”
The Zifa spokesperson said very few people had accessed the tickets to Brazil through the association. National associations have over the years been allocated tickets to sell to their nationals and in 2006 Zifa chief executive officer Mashingaidze found himself suspended from the post on allegations of bad dealings in the tickets.
“On tickets, very few people ordered the tickets. I will check the exact figure,” said Gwesela.
Leading digital satellite television company Supersport are believed to have made tickets available to a number of Zimbabweans as part of exposure to better practices meant to improve service delivery in the sport in Zimbabwe.
Among the beneficiaries are PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele who is already in Brazil.
PSL chairman Twine Phiri is expected to travel too though he could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Trevor Carelse Juul, who lost in his bid to lead Zifa to Dube, is in Brazil watching the cup final matches.
On Saturday, he confirmed meeting some Zimbabweans there among them PSL’s Ndebele.
Juul also mourned the death of Tymon Mabaleka, a football and music production legend who died in Harare on June 27.
The former Dynamos and Eagles silverware winning coach was close to another legend Majuta Mpofu who passed on last year.
“Wow they are all going back to The Lord. I am sad he has gone. I remember him well, what a talent and a gentleman. He was what I describe as an elegant player. He was like a dancer on the pitch with great defence splitting passes and some spectacular goals. I was privileged to watch him, may he rest in peace. God bless you Tymon Mabaleka you were a true gentleman of the game in Zimbabwe.”
derick.khumalo