Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
RENOWNED African football administrator Ashford Mamelodi believes Zimbabwean football has the potential to stand toe to toe with the best on the continent if the custodians can hold together the trajectory.
The respected brains in the international game is in the country after helping churn out ZIFA Football Administration trainees who graduated last week.
He was able to watch, thanks to the Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe, two matches at Rufaro.
Mamelodi witnessed the highly-charged league game pitting CAPS United and Scottland officiated by Kenyan referees on Thursday last week before watching the Green Machine and Highlanders in the Chibuku Super Cup semifinal at the same venue three days later.
And what he saw impressed him to the core.
“Yes, I did go to the games at Rufaro” he said.
“They were very entertaining matches. I was really impressed because the referees handled the games with composure and fairness. They allowed the games to flow. That is not always easy in big matches but they managed well.
“I was also impressed with the general organization of the match, including the security. Everything was orderly, from the entry into the stadium to the control of the crowd inside. You could see that a lot of planning had gone into it.
“All the teams created chances and showed great commitment. Overall, they were very good afternoons. Very enjoyable, because football is entertaining. When the game is played in the right spirit and the environment is safe, football remains the best spectacle in the world.”
Mamelodi said he has always believed in Zimbabwean football even in the times when negative storms were hitting the game.
“I’ve always believed in Zimbabwean football. Unfortunately, given the history of exclusion of Zimbabwe, they have been playing catch-up for a very long time. But clearly, it is only a matter of time. Zimbabwean football will be back, much, much stronger than before. You have the talent, you have the passion, and you have the people who love the game unconditionally.
“What you have lacked is consistency, proper structures, and international exposure,” he added.
“When you are out of the system, you lose momentum, but you don’t lose your identity. Your football has always been resilient. The young players coming up today are hungrier, more disciplined, and more exposed to modern methods. So I have no doubt — you are on the right path.
The revival will not happen overnight, but when it does happen, the whole continent will feel it.
Zimbabwe will compete again at the highest level.”
Thabe who was in charge of the ZIFA Admin Course Instruction said the PSL decided to take the administration guru to the local game for him to identify areas where they are doing well or failing.
“I always believe that everyone can teach us something for the good of the game,” said Thabe.
“Look, someone of Mamelodi’s stature in Africa can help you in remarkable ways.
“He has seen it all and he knows his game. We decided to take him to the local games and the feedback he has given us is eye-opening.”
