Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
CALLS for Zifa to introduce a National First Division has drawn mixed reactions from the soccer community.
Former top goalscorer and the fourth player from Bulawayo to be crowned Soccer Star of the Year, Zenzo Moyo, said the idea would be counter-productive and would not promote national growth.
“I have heard and read about that excitement. At face value it may sound a brilliant idea, but there is a danger from my view of things that certain parts of the country may never get representation, leaving the cities along the Bulawayo-Harare Highway to benefit.
“We are talking national development with every corner enjoying having a team in the PSL or National First Division,” said Moyo who is also the vice chairman of Zifa Southern Region favourites, Bulawayo City.
Former CAPS United and national team stalwart Charles Sibanda, said it is too early for Zimbabwe to have that league.
Sibanda lamented the lack of sponsorship for the clubs and league as key.
“The football script must not be swayed by those with resources to sustain their own campaigns.
“A majority of the teams may not be ready for the venture and my suggestion is we go back to the old system where we had Northern and Southern Region Division One Leagues.
“These promoted competition and directly encouraged the best to be promoted from their ranks. Having four divisions vying for promotion compromised the quality of the game and hence most promoted teams have not had the impetus to stay longer in the Premiership,” said Sibanda.
He said most teams in Division One had many individuals sacrificing from their pockets that there be football in their centres. He said it was unfortunate that Zimbabwe was unlike other countries where upon promotion a team is entitled to a sizeable grant.
“In other countries, I remember even in South Africa Bophuthwasana (North West), clubs there had grants with sponsorship topping up on what is there to ensure coaches and players are paid. We need some introspection about where we are, like we would do in business and consider for a start two leagues and then after some time probably look at the pros and cons of the National First Division,” said Sibanda who is also a former coach.
He said some foreign football ideas may not apply in Zimbabwe.
Former Eagles, Black Mambas and youth international, Collet Dube who was among the pioneers to play in South Africa when the Gleaneagles sporting ban was lifted in 1991, described the weekend proposal as an excellent idea.
“That is an excellent idea, we grew up liking it. Even Boy Ndlovu became a Soccer Star of the Year finalist when Eagles was in Division One. It was very competitive. The biggest problem in Zimbabwe is finance. Some non-football people have entered the space to its destruction,” said Dube
Dube played for Jomo Cosmos, Wits and AmaZulu under the legendary late Clive Barker alongside countryman Ephraim Mwale and former Bafana Bafana midfielder, Joe Mlaba.
Former Zimbabwe and youth international dribbling wizard, Boy Ndlovu said: “I think it’s a good idea. Advantage is they will be good regionally, and in the national league, as they will already have played with countrywide opposition.
You go out of your zone to play other teams, we will see the quality of the team and players, they will be ready for the Premier League having qualified from the whole country.”
Former Shushine and Black Rhinos rightback, Itai “Stango” Masawi is worried about the cost of the venture.
“I doubt most of the teams will manage to travel nationwide as some are failing to pay winning bonuses. Most of the Southern Region teams do not have sponsors.”
Division One teams have been seen to struggle with fulfilling fixtures and paying players decent wages.
Some of the venues are an eyesore with facilities in Hwange, Filabusi, Casmyn and Plumtree in deplorable state to play host to professional footballers.
Perhaps Zifa will consider clubs that tick the right boxes along Club Licensing confines or probably start with the Southern and Northern Region experiment that has reduced travel and costs.
