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Gumbo, who has only been in charge of the team since February after replacing Norman Mapeza, has come under scrutiny after the failure to qualify for the Nations Cup and the poor run in the World Cup campaign.
Zifa president Cuthbert Dube, who suspects that match-fixing is still ingrained in the national team, yesterday threatened that the board may be forced to take a drastic decision to disband the Warriors and start all over again with a fresh crop of youngsters who have not been exposed at the highest level.
He said the Zifa board would meet to craft the way forward following the team’s agonising defeat in Angola, where they had carried a seemingly healthy 3-1 lead.
Zimbabwe, who had flattered to deceive in the first leg at Rufaro, tumbled out of the campaign at the last hurdle on the away goals rule. Dube said he was pained by the loss.
“We really needed to qualify and in my opinion I thought this was now going to be an easy task only to be killed by a stupid display of football,” he said.
“But it’s not the end of the world. Zambia, who are the olders of the Afcon, lost the entire team at one time.
“The whole team perished but they are now the powerhouse in Africa and we cannot be surprised that they can clinch this cup again.
“So if we go back to the drawing board and start again with clean people, young people who are enthusiastic to make their names in Zimbabwean football, we will do it.
“We will make a real bold decision in terms of our setup which is our technical team and of course the national team itself,” said Dube.
Gumbo, who is expected to address the media today on the Luanda debacle, will only know of his future after the board has met to review the team’s performances.
Zimbabwe crumbled in spectacular fashion in Luanda and their dream was as good as dead in the opening six minutes of the game after ex-Manchester United star Manucho fired a quick double.
The Warriors needed at least to hold on to their advantage or to clinch an away goal to put the hosts under pressure but they did not appear up to the task as Angola appeared superior in all departments.
Dube said the Warriors, whose preparations are usually disturbed by lack of camping funds and incentives, had no excuses for the defeat in Angola.
The team had received numerous sponsorship packages including housing stands and $10 000 winning bonuses if they qualified for the next edition of the continental football extravaganza in South Africa.
The Mzansi 90 committee, which was tasked to source resources for the team, had gone into and had raised over $500 000 for the team.
“We lost a golden opportunity to go to South Africa on Sunday. Everything was laid for the success of our trip to Angola.
“Residential stands, $10 000, a chartered flight and a whole host of things was done to make sure that our team succeeded in Angola. It came to naught.
“Just yesterday I got a very disturbing report, but I suspect it, that on the flight, those that went to Angola, you had match-fixers, very daring people,” said Dube.
He said Zifa will investigate the allegations that there were suspected match-fixers in Angola.
Online Reporter