adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
SEVEN years ago, Rafik Khan would have been among dignitaries officiating before the kick-off of the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday. The former Zifa chairman was at the giant stadium on Sunday, as an ordinary fan, watching How Mine complete a stunning victory over CAPS United.
Khan took a seat beside Motor Action director Liz Rosen and Zifa honorary member Alphinos Masunda who, at least, had a seat reserved for him.
Khan left Zifa in March 2006 and relocated to South Africa where he had been pursuing some business interests as well as taking care of his wife, who had been receiving some specialist treatment.
“I was doing nothing related to football since I left about seven years ago. Basically I had taken my wife to South Africa because she had a medical condition and we stayed there all that time,” he said.
“At some point I was offered a post to be a managing director of a sports company based in America but I declined the post because I had my business interests to pursue.
“The contract was lucrative while several teams in South Africa also approached me but I could not take up the offers.”
In May 2011, Khan told The Herald that he was disturbed to learn that there was a lot of disharmony in Zimbabwe football at a time when the Zifa board was facing a lawsuit from Tom Saintfiet while it was deeply divided over the hiring of former skipper Norman Mapeza as coach.
Khan urged Zifa to believe in homegrown coaches like Sunday Chidzambwa who took the Warriors to Tunisia before Charles Mhlauri led them to Egypt for the Nations Cup finals.
“I used to follow Zimbabwean football and that was the reason I took time to be at the National Sports Stadium. It was a good game for me and I still remembered a number of players like (Herbert) Dick.
“This Wednesday, I should be at Rufaro to watch the game between Dynamos and Shabanie Mine. I follow football and I hope to see more games now that I back home in Zimbabwe.
“My wife has fully recovered and I have decided to return,” he said.
Khan, a former Premier Soccer League chairman, survived several attempts to unseat him from office during turbulent times when the sport was characterised by fierce boardroom squabbles.
Some feel he remains the best Zifa chairman ever as the Warriors flourished when he was in charge with appearances at the 2004 and 2006 Nations Cup finals.
Online Reporter