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Sports Reporter
SCORES of Zimbabwean football fans yesterday signed the online petition started by former CAPS United defender Mpumelelo Dzowa asking for ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube to step down after five years in charge of the national game.
The petition was first created on www.change.org, an online platform described by Time magazine as a “spectacular demonstration of the way ordinary folks can now mobilise extraordinary support for their causes.”
A number of former Zimbabwe internationals, notably George Mbwando, Abdul Karim Abdul, Maxwell Dube and Frank Nyamukuta, have already signed the petition.
“I know the passion and emotion you have displayed for the national sport,” Dzowa wrote on his Facebook page.
“I know the pride and patriotism you always uphold for your country. Enough is enough, our football has gone to the dogs and I’m responding to mobilise the call for action.
“Let’s register our feelings for the record, we can’t be on the sidelines forever. So, come with me, let’s be heard. Thanks for your support. If you have signed the petition please share the link.”
One of the petitioners, Agnes Pazira, who is based in Harare, said she didn’t want to see the dream of her teenage son, to be a football star being destroyed by those in leadership right now.
“I don’t want to see the dream of my teenage son who so loves soccer being shattered with this maladministration,” she noted.
Those who are signing the petition are being asked to fill a segment, which is optional, why they believe Dube should step down.
Here is a list of some who signed yesterday and their reasons for doing so:
Benjamin Ngwenya (ATLANTA, Georgia, US)
Football in Africa in general needs major change and football in Zimbabwe is a disgrace. CAF needs to be reconfigured in as much as FIFA need change like yesterday.
Sibonginkosi Hove (GöTTINGEN, Germany)
Cuthbert Dube, it’s not about how much you personally love soccer or being at the helm of power. Enough is enough, it’s time for you to admit that you have failed. Please step down.
Price Maringe (BEITBRIDGE, Zimbabwe)
I totally agree that Cuthbert has not only failed his job but has also failed his country.
Kenneth Mavhiringidze (HARARE, Zimbabwe)
Football is dead in Zimbabwe
Simon Masanga (HARARE, Zimbabwe)
Gross mismanagement of soccer in the country, always in the news for the wrong reasons.
Martin Matonhodze (PORTSMOUTH, England)
The beautiful game needs leadership with integrity.
Terence Manonga (ROMFORD, England)
Please Cuthbert just resign for the development of Zimbabwe Football. No sponsors will love to part with their cash in a chaotic ZIFA.
Bobby Ndlovu (BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe)
We need someone with new ideas on how to develop the beautiful game of football, especially in Zimbabwe, Mr Dube you had your chance now be generous and allow others to have theirs.
Thomson Dowu (LEEDS, United Kingdom)
I want to see a change in Zimbabwean football. A new system must be introduced to eradicate the prevailing situation period.
Mike Ngazimbi (HARARE, Zimbabwe)
The game of football at national level is bigger than a single individual. Pride has no place here. It looks like CD (Cuthbert Dube) is hanging on to dear life for something to do in his retirement years, but his track record is getting (battered) by the day.
Please do the right thing and save us from further embarrassment. Attend to your butchery and do some farming or go sue PSMAS for a change.
Otherwise, thank you for any past sacrifices you have made for soccer in Zim. Go have a good rest and travel the length and breadth of Zim to enjoy it in peace. Would love to see Jonathan M (Mashingaidze) go as well . . . Thank you so much for listening to the soccer-mad crowds of Zimbabwe
Mzilankatha Dibigulu (JOHANNESBURG, SA)
Please do everyone a favour and leave. We need new blood. Take your CEO with you. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.
David Mhlaba (STRAND, SA)
You don’t know football and was never the right man for the job so please do us a favour Go Home!
Dickson Chigariro (BELLVILLE)
Enough of the maladministration by the association bosses showed by the chaotic and embarrassing events of the past trips by our national team
Edgar Singano (BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe)
We have been let down by this man because of his ego and thieving attitude. Poor corporate governance, ZIFA is not his personal business.
Simon Sithole (HARARE, Zimbabwe)
I want sanity to prevail once again and to bring accountability to the beautiful game.
Hopewell Gumbo (HARARE, Zimbabwe)
ZIFA has been turned into a money-making venture by unscrupulous leaders bent on lining their pockets while the sport dies.
They have the courage to ignore an injured player right in their eyes. Dube’s leadership has become so arrogant and does not deserve to lead a national sport.
Kudakwashe Chamunorwa (PIETERMARITZBURG, SA)
Zim has better talent but it’s the administration that is spoiled. Cuthbert and company have had their time, let’s rather have people with soccer at heart at the helm, preferably ex-soccer players, these old guys have no clue and it hurts to support other countries at tournaments yet Zimbabwe has a decent pool of players.
Jay Lee (WOLVERHAMPTON, UK)
For sanity to prevail in Zimbabwean football.
Evelyn Ndlovu (COVENTRY, England)
I want ZIFA President to resign
Israel Vibez (HARARE, Zimbabwe)
ZIFA is rotten to the grassroots.
Hesten James (PRETORIA, SA)
I’m tired of ZIFA’s nonsense.
Pikisai Mhizha (MASVINGO, Zimbabwe)
All stakeholders have lost confidence in him, especially the corporate world, it can’t support because of lack of transparency.
Our Division One soccer has sponsorship and our Premier Soccer League has sponsors, so it’s not true that our national team can’t be sponsored because of the economic environment, it’s because of DUBE.
Blessed Ncube (PRETORIA, SA)
Lacks professionalism, lacks focus, killing the sport at large. Tarnishing the image of the country
Online Reporter