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ACTING Zifa Southern Region chairman Morgan Dube will not seek re-election. Dube a respected soccer personality in Matabeleland North, as a player, coach and administrator said he was happy to go back to development. He said there would be more satisfaction drawn from producing talent than running the game, which is fragmented at the moment with people drawn into camps.
“It is with immense pride that I am announcing my intention not to contest the forthcoming elections at the end of my term as the chairman of the Southern Region next month.
“I want to go back down to development and concentrate on rebuilding local football with the emphasis on grassroots and junior development for now. It is in its heart that the swallow knows when to leave its nest and it is in its soul that it chooses a fitting time to return,” said Dube.
He said he would be back some day to play a part in the running of the game when the right time and opportunity arises.
Dube said among the reasons that he chose not to run was the fact that people in the region had drawn themselves into camps.
“The only camp I belong to is that of the football family. We must work together as a football nation and advance the cause of the game so that we can reap the fruits of our labour. Creating factions is not good for the game and I will never promote that as soccer needs every individual coming forward with his contribution for it to prosper,” said the former Zifa Southern Region vice-chairman who took over from Gift Banda in 2012.
Banda was suspended on allegations of trying to influence the promotion of Tripple B at the expense of Hardbody. Several referees were implicated in the saga.
Dube said he felt humbled though that many clubs and neutrals in the game still believed in him.
“I believe it is best to leave while you are still at the top and wanted by many,” said Dube.
He bemoaned the fact that the province’s true football people were not hogging the limelight.
This he said had left the sport vulnerable to opportunists. The Zifa acting regional chairman said he was yet to confirm who is in the running for posts at Zifa.
Sources last night said Musa Mandaza and Mandla Moyo would gun for the regional boss’s post.
“Mandaza and Moyo have picked up the forms and have shown interest in the chairman’s post,” said the source.
Whoever wins between them will have to complete renovations of offices started by the Banda board in 2010 which were halted when he was suspended.
The Zifa board have since vowed to demolish the improvements and build another structure instead of channelling those funds to development a critical need for the sport.
However, some believe Mandaza’s stature in local football has grown so much that he deserves to try his luck in the Zifa board at national level.
Tawanda Ruzive and Gaylord Madunguza are said to have picked up forms for the vice-chairman’s post with Sydney Madzvimbo, Khumbulani Mbano, Patrick Malunga, Jabulani Chinyangarara, Tafadzwa Mutowa, Tumediso Mukwena and a Mumba from Hwange all in the running for board member positions.
The candidates are believed to be in two distinct camps with Matabeleland Province led by Denis Tshuma said to be key in who will win the race.
The province has three votes and six clubs which are believed to be eager to vote as a block.
Online Reporter