Fans to stage protest march against Dube

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
MORE than 2,000 football fans are tomorrow expected to stage a protest march from Zifa House to the residence of the crisis-ridden association’s beleaguered boss Cuthbert Dube in Harare.

According to the Zimbabwe National Football Teams Supporters’ Association (ZNSSA), the protest march organisers, police clearance has already been granted for the planned demonstration. ZNSSA president Eddie Chivero said the march was a “final push” against Dube’s leadership and called on football fans to converge at the Zifa offices in Livingstone Avenue in the capital at 10AM.

“We’re calling upon all football loving people to heed our call and come to Zifa House to be part and parcel of this cause. The police clearance has already been issued,” said Chivero.

“We need to show him that we have had enough of his leadership and he should step down. We might be thinking the man is getting our messages from the newspapers and radio when he is not, so we have decided to go to his doorstep to show him that enough is enough.”

Chivero said perhaps the demand for Dube to step down might have been distorted along the way hence their march to deliver what he called the “sucker punch” themselves.

“We want to say to Dube we’ve had enough of your time and it’s time for you to step down. Who knows, maybe he might do us and the nation a favour by stepping down in front of the supporters,” Chivero said.

Other personalities and institutions expected to take part in the protest include former Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Chris Sambo, Francis Zimunya, Footballers’ Union of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Football Elders’ Association in addition to the supporters.

Dube and two board members Fungai Chihuri and Tawengwa Hara survived a boardroom chop last month after 29 councillors voted to boot them out of Zifa, only for Fifa to declare the May 16 meeting and its resolutions null and void.

The defiant councillors have since called for another extraordinary general meeting on June 20 where Dube is certain to be kicked out, if he does not step down.