adminONE of our weaknesses as a nation is being too emotional.
We have a proven track record of investing a lot of emotions but very little thinking when crunch time comes.
The current campaign to seek answers to the filthy state our game is in has seen everything — including the kitchen sink — being thrown towards the direction of ailing zifa president Cuthbert Dube.
Poor Dube probably needs another visit to Prophet TB Joshua!
All this anger is understandable as it comes at a time when the African Cup of Nations climaxes with the Warriors somewhere in the football dustbin and nothing happening on the resuscitation front.
Government, through the Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, has even hinted that they are ready to attract the wrath of fifa in pursuit of cleaning the mess at zifa.
It’s a statement that has worried many, from Cairo to Zurich.
While the “Get Dube Out” gospel resonates with many a disillusioned football fan in Zimbabwe, there is a feeling from those following proceedings from a distance that Dube is a victim of political machinations and a media that has never liked him because of his pursuit of the truth in the Asiagate match fixing scandal.
And you cannot blame these people for reading the situation in the manner they are doing because in all our fury we have failed to clearly lay down the charges Dube is facing.
What is it that Dube has done wrong?
What does the zifa constitution say about redressing the things that Dube is alleged to have done wrong?
Is the situation so bad that it requires Government intervention which automatically means a fifa suspension?
What is the role of the zifa Assembly, the body that voted Dube in office, in this matter?
Is Dube a victim of politics and a media onslaught?
What is the role of the Sports and Recreation Commission in solving this mess?
Failing to watch the Warriors in action is not a dismissible offence.
Let’s be serious. Let’s lay serious charges. Emotional arguments have no place in this matter.
fifa have already warned of the disastrous consequences that will befall us if we pursue a heart before brain approach in our drive to find answers to our game.
In a year fifa goes to elections the chances of the world soccer governing body refusing to recognise any unorthodox changes at zifa are high.
fifa president Sepp Blatter is guaranteed of the Zimbabwean vote with Dube as the zifa boss and is likely to do all he can to keep his ally in office until the May 29 elections.
We need to be smart on this one comrades.
It appears Dube has already been in contact with several “concerned” caf and fifa officials.
His line has been consistent and appears to have found believers at the two organisations.
Dube says he has single-handedly kept zifa going by pumping in his personal funds and believes the latest media onslaught is being spearheaded by “enemies of the game”.
The alleged masterminds of the Asiagate scandal, who include some journalists, want to hound him out of office, he alleges.
Amid such disclosures, the role of the SRC comes into the spotlight as the country’s football soul searching exercise continues.
The SRC has the muscle to bring zifa and Dube to account.
It’s about time they make the noises while Government follows proceedings with a shut mouth and from a distance.
There is need for Zimbabwe to show that it respects fifa and its statutes.
Statements that paint the country as ready to pee on the world soccer governing body and everything its stands for won’t help matters.
Other members of the zifa board also need to stop being lame duck officials who accuse Dube and chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze of running a two-man show.
The board members collectively have the power to cause changes at 53 Livingstone Avenue.
Our nation has to be smart on this one.
Yes, no one will cry for Dube but let’s show we have some software in our heads and get him out without urinating on fifa.
The effects of a ban are too gross to contemplate.
Va Shagare exits the scene.
VaShagare is the founder of DeMbare Dotcoms and can be contacted on that Facebook page as well as email address [email protected]
Online Reporter