Let’s take cue from Zambia’s success

The victory in a match that they went in as underdogs underlined the fact that where there is a will there is a way.
Zambia might not have the profile of their victims, Cote d’Ivoire, in terms of leagues where most of their players are plying their trade, but they were explicit in collectivism.
They played as a team and showed from the opening 2-1 win over Senegal that they meant business. With the final in Gabon, there was all the reason for the boys to raise their game in memory of 18 gallant brothers who died in a plane crash in that country in 1993.
They were on their way to Senegal to play an Afcon qualifier when the plane they were travelling in crashed into the Atlantic Ocean killing all on board including coaches and officials. A hastily assembled Zambian side led by Kalusha Bwalya was still good enough to reach the 1994 Afcon final where they eventually lost to Nigeria.
Before this year’s final, the Zambians said it would be very significant if they won the trophy in Gabon and true to their dreams they did it.
Zimbabwe congratulates Zambia for their success. It is really a moment to savour for Sub-Saharan Africa and surely a challenge to the rest of Southern Africa.
It was third time lucky for Zambia who had been beaten in the finals in 1974 (2-0 by Democratic Republic of Congo) and that 1-2 loss to Nigeria in 1994.
What is notable is that Zambia outclassed teams boasting of big names drawn from Europe’s top leagues with a bunch of stars based mainly in the DRC, Zambia and South Africa.
Christopher Katongo led by example.
Zambia set camp in South Africa before leaving for West Africa for their successful mission.
Their win shows that with good organisation from the national association so much can be achieved.
There is little that has been done by the Zifa administration to advance the brand football in this country. Those running our football have seemingly devoted more time to strengthening their influence in the game and lining their pockets.
This has been at the expense of soccer’s development and national teams’ performances.
The challenge that Zambia have thrown at us is that it can be done. It is not genius but pure honesty to the nation and game of football that can take the Warriors to next year’s finals in South Africa.
If Zifa officials were to realise why they are in office, they would advance development of soccer and improve on national teams’ catering. Anything to do with the Warriors has been done on an ad hoc basis yet it demands full-time attention.
Good administration invites results and corporate participation. Sponsors have not been forthcoming because of lack of transparency.
Zimbabweans should demonstrate soccer’s immense power that had Zambia’s present leader Michael Sata in Gabon for the final with his predecessors Rupiah Banda and Kenneth Kaunda.
Soccer is Zimbabwe’s Number One sport. Cuthbert Dube and his troops ought to know what hurt they inflict on the nation by their failure to deliver.
We therefore implore Zifa to look beyond consolidating their positions, Asiagate and Centralgate and deliver a berth in the finals of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
But Zifa cannot achieve this alone. They need the support of each and every Zimbabwean.
The road to South Africa begins next week with a trip to Burundi in the first match of the qualifiers. We implore Zimbabweans to rally behind the new Warriors team and give whatever support to ensure qualification.
However, qualification would be a sham if Zifa do not clean their littered house. We welcome Asiagate and Centralgate investigations and we would do the same if the Dube leadership were to have a serious self-introspection and come out with the way forward.
What we want to see is Zimbabwe reverberating to Go Warriors Go but everyone must play their part.
It’s over to you Zifa to emulate great achievements by South Africa, the 1996 winners, and Zambia, this year’s champions.
We say congratulations to Chipolopolo, you have done Southern Africa proud.