‘I’m glad Mubaiwa lost’

Bothwell Mahlengwe
THERE are few times in life when you celebrate defeat, either yours or someone’s. On Sunday, I celebrated Kenny Mubaiwa’s defeat in the PSL chairman’s elections. Not that I have anything against him but I thought his was a case of misplaced priorities. Especially when, right on his heels was his burning house, one that needs his undivided attention.

That he emphatically lost to a man, whose leadership qualities had been compromised by a child maintenance case, speaks volumes about Mubaiwa himself.

In almost all daily newspapers, Mubaiwa lamented that there was an outside force that led to his demise.
I have read a number of self-books and the number one recommendation they give is for one to take 100% responsibility. My take is that before blaming outside forces, Mubaiwa should have looked at himself, do a thorough self-introspection and see that he was the one to blame.

First, you didn’t sell yourself enough to convince anyone that you will bring positive changes to PSL.
You knew very well that your relationship with PSL main sponsor, Delta Beverages, had been dented after that incident where you were barred from the 2012 Soccer Stars of the Year gala because of your dressing and the subsequent ‘Dynamos’ leadership boycott’ of the same gala in 2013.

These incidents, combined with the expiry of the Delta Beverages sponsorship deal and the need for renewal of the same, didn’t put your candidature in good light.

No club would have wanted to gamble and put a man with issues with Delta Beverages as PSL chairman knowing very well that the sponsorship deal was due for renewal.

The Saturday Herald wrote, “There is also concern , among some clubs, that the delay by the league’s flagship sponsors, Delta Beverages, to announce an extension of their deal, is connected to the elections and, should their preferred candidate lose, the clubs will have to look for a new sponsor.”

This statement made deafening noise.
I read the excerpts of your manifesto from the press and I didn’t see anything exciting that would have put you ahead of Phiri.
In fact, your manifesto seemed to give club executives every reason to go with the incumbent because most of what were your proposals had accomplished by the man in charge.

To add on to that, you only sent your manifesto to the clubs without following up with ‘question and answer’ sessions to make sure they clearly comprehend what you were selling to them.

In short, you took the electorate for granted. Just because you are the Dynamos chairman doesn’t guarantee you everything you desire.
There are issues about your stint as Dynamos chairman, in which you are the first to win three straight league titles in the history of the PSL, that need to be addressed.

The BancABC sponsorship deal, for starters, was Farai Munetsi’s sweat. The initial deal in 2011 was to cover salaries and transport in the league and its package was US$100 000.

Ray Kazembe took it a step further and negotiated with BancABC to include the Africa adventure as well as Dynamos players’ awards in 2012.

That year alone Dynamos gobbled over US$700 000 of the bank’s funds.
Part of this spilled into 2013 but not without its problems after Kazembe left in December 2012. Signing-on fees for players were not available which caused the registration of non-contracted players in the Champions league.

The same thing happened again in 2014.
BancABC, as a ‘show of no confidence,’ refused to bankroll the Champions League safari. The result, as the Herald of Tuesday 11 March rightly captured, “Champions at home, minnows on the continent.

Every year we see a “new” Dynamos filled with players who lack the Dynamos culture. How were you going to make “our league an attractive brand that is able to retain players,” when you have failed to do it at your club where players leave year-in, year-out?
In such a case, you have no room to blame the coach who to my assessment has done a sterling job considering the odds against him emanating from your executive and the Dynamos board that thrives on chaos.

The coach’s contract issue took ages to be concluded. Then followed the lack of faith fuelled by rumours of a technical advisor being muted by your leadership. Names like Keegan Mumba and Moses Chunga were heard in the rumour mill. Recently, there were reports in the Chronicle claiming the vice chairman, David Mandigora, wants to take over.

Remember, there is no smoke without fire. Give this boy a chance and create a conducive working environment for him. Then, and only then, will you be able to judge him.

The brand, Dynamos FC, is the club’s main strength. However, there has always been the need to unlock value derived from this. This is where the solution to Dynamos’ financial woes lies.

Two executive teams have tried unlocking this value with little success — the one led by Lloyd Hove led and the one led by Farai Munetsi led. Having been Munetsi’s second in command, we expected you to go in the same direction. Unfortunately, you have remained mum on this front. Consequently, the team’s woes have continued unabated.

Then there was the issue of replica jerseys. Big teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal thrive on income from these.

Even teams closer to home like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are benefiting from replica jerseys’ sales.
How on earth the Dynamos one is not viable leaves a lot to be desired.
You proposed to “establish a vigorous marketing department in the league.”

One would be forced to assume that your team has a thriving one. Unfortunately, reality on the ground speaks otherwise. What Dynamos have is a “white elephant” — a team of appealing names without anything tangible to show.

We didn’t see the Golden Jubilee celebrations which the so-called marketing committee had been created by the board to organise. How then were the clubs executives going to be convinced that you could do it at PSL level?

The turmoil that besieged Dynamos last week before their travel to DRC was the last nail in the coffin. You might want to blame it on outside forces but that was a big reality check. Unfortunately, you failed the test.

As a businessman you have been successful and that’s where we are expecting you to take Dynamos FC.
Your main challenge now is to unlock the value that is tied to the brand, Dynamos FC, and address the team’s financial woes once and for all. That calls for a vibrant, creative, imaginative and strong administration — one that wins the confidence of all stakeholders.

There is need to demonstrate and convince the founding fathers that they stand to benefit more from commercialisation of the team than the paltry figures that they are getting from the gate takings.

Then, and only then, you would have earned the right to lead PSL.

Bothwell Mahlengwe is a banker and a former Premiership footballer. He can be contacted, for feedback, on — [email protected]