adminLiberty Dube
WITH one week left before 58 Zifa councillors converge in Harare to elect a new Zifa president, his deputy and three board members, soccer lovers in Mutare have expressed mixed feelings over whom they think can run the entity with finesse, transparency and professionalism. The majority of people interviewed by Post Sport this week expressed confidence that business mogul and politician, Phillip Chiyangwa would win the elections resoundingly and would propel the association to stardom.
The highest office in domestic football administration fell vacant in October this year after the embattled Cuthbert Dube quit. Chiyangwa will battle it out with South African-based businessman and former administrator, Trevor Carelse-Juul, Harare City Football Club chairman, Leslie Gwindi and former Ziscosteel and Warriors defender, James Takavada.
A section of local football lovers, however, believes Carelse-Juul can resuscitate Zifa considering that the former Eagles and Dynamos player led Zifa briefly during the era of the Dream Team, despite its failure to qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup finals.
“Carelse-Juul has vast experience and knowledge of the game both as a player and as an administrator. His vision is clear. He wants to develop football from the grassroots and he does not sound like he has hidden intentions. We strongly believe that his bid to clear the $6 million Zifa debt is insurmountable, but achievable.
“We have faith in his programme of action for his first 100 days in office. There is need for an international audit so that the exact state of financial affairs at Zifa will be established. He has not been around in the country, but we believe he can be a good administrator,” said Ngenyasha Mukwakwami of Sakubva.
Leonard Chirochierwa of Dangamvura described Carelse-Juul as the “messiah” and “saviour” of local football who has the potential to make Zimbabwe a great football country like regional powerhouses such as Ghana and Ivory Coast.
“Personally, Carelse-Juul’s manifesto inspired me. He really knows what Zimbabwe football needs. He has been there before. He is not a newcomer and he has a clean record as an administrator. It is not money we need, but sound policies that are put into action,” said Chirochierwa.
Anyway Muchichwa of Morningside said: “Phillip Chiyangwa is a businessperson whose achievements are a marvel. He is an achiever worth emulating and supporting. I think he should be given a chance to turnaround the sorry state of Zifa. He has money-making ideas that can be useful to the cash-strapped organisation. He has the charisma to attract financial investors to the game. Many might hate him, but he might be the difference that we have been looking for.
“His history out of football doesn’t concern us. His passion for football and financial stability can be critical for football development,” he said.
Stanley Sipeya, a local entrepreneur, said Chiyangwa’s daring and aggressive character was what Zim football needs.
Online Reporter