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Sports Reporter
AS the race to 53 Livingstone Avenue, Harare, gains momentum with candidates confirmed, sitting Zifa president Cuthbert Dube met the 10 provincial chairpersons on Saturday to appeal for their votes.Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela confirmed the meeting yesterday and said there was nothing amiss since Dube is the incumbent board president.
According to sources from the Northern Region who attended the meeting on Saturday not much was discussed. They said what the Zifa boss basically asked for was support during the forthcoming elections in which he is seeking re-election.
Dube is up against the challenge of successful international businessman Trevor Carelse-Juul, Leslie Gwindi and board member responsible for marketing Nigel Munyati.
“We met at Dube’s house from 9PM to 2AM beginning on Saturday up to Sunday morning. The president appealed for our votes. The gathering was not as lively as previous ones. Dube asked for our support and the situation was a bit tense. He said he was aware of manoeuvres to have him arrested just before the elections.
“He told us that that would not happen as he has ensured that if he is arrested it would have to be earlier than the March 26-27 that his enemies want. He said even if he is incarcerated they could still vote for him. We were promised support as provinces,” said a Northern Region source who was at the meeting.
Dube has already met the four regions who have 16 votes in the 58-member assembly. They all endorsed him but were torn into two on their choice for Dube’s deputy.
Another meeting is set for this weekend with the 16 premiership clubs, according to the sources.
The Zifa boss credited with good progress on the Zifa Village, coach education, Chan success and Asiagate, refused to name candidates that were in his camp.
“He said he would make his position public before the elections. Another issue the president spoke about was the new Zifa headquarters that Fifa have said they would fund. The Confederation of African Football said they would furnish the Zifa offices and the Southern Region will also benefit from new offices,” said the source.
Zifa have previously said they would destroy the aborted improvements done by former Southern Region boss Gift Banda at its offices in Bulawayo.
Touched by the plight of several affiliates with no offices to meet in, Banda who was suspended two years ago on allegations of having a hand in matchfixing in the Central Soccer League, started working on improvements at the Zifa house.
Banda who is now the deputy Mayor of Bulawayo wanted each one of the provincial bodies like women’s soccer, referees, juniors, five-a-side to have a place to meet.
Zifa have said they will demolish Banda’s foundation and come up with their own.
“So we were advised that new offices will also be constructed in Bulawayo,” said the source.
Austin Brian Chishanga, said to be the longest serving councillor, confirmed the Harare meeting.
“But for purposes of protocol I will refer you to Xolisani Gwesela, the Zifa spokesperson,” said Chishanga who has almost 20 years’ experience as a Zifa assembly official.
Gwesela confirmed the meeting attended by Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze and a PSMAS employee who was listed among the top earners at the company.
“As you are aware, Dube is still the president, he is free to meet football leaders or stakeholders anywhere. There is therefore nothing amiss regarding this meeting. He also enjoys the freedom of association as enshrined in the country’s constitution,” said Gwesela yesterday.
Zifa boss Dube could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Area Zone elections were held yesterday. They were supposed to be the first to be run before provincial elections.
Chronicle Sport was unable to get results of the elections held in Mudzi yesterday.
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