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Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube has expressed genuine fears that Zimbabwe could be kicked out of the 2018 World Cup tournament after he revealed yesterday that the association was not in a position to meet Fifa’s conditions to settle Brazilian coach Valinhos’ debt to get the ban imposed on the nation lifted.
Zimbabwe were expelled from the 2018 World Cup two months ago following their failure to pay the Brazilian coach his outstanding monies which amount to $81,000 including interest.
This is despite indications by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa who told our Harare Bureau back in March that the government had chipped in to help rescue the situation.
But Dube yesterday said the association was keen to have the team participate in the Fifa World Cup but time is running out as there are now less than 10 days left before the draw is conducted.
The draw for the 2018 draw will be conducted in Russia next Saturday.
“We may not, unless something happens between today and next week, be able to be on the draw which is on the 25th of this month,” said Dube.
Zimbabwe had been given several deadlines and warnings by Fifa to settle the debt with the coach following his stint with the Warriors from January to November 2008.
The deal to bring Valinhos, whose full name is Jose Claudinei Georgini, was struck by the previous executive led by Wellington Nyatanga.
Speaking at the launch of the Soccer Coaches’ Union of Zimbabwe yesterday, Dube said efforts are still being made at a higher level to get Zimbabwe back in the tournament.
The Zifa president lashed out at the obsession of hiring foreign coaches by previous leadership at 53 Livingstone Avenue and said it was a mistake which in the end left their coffers overburdened with expenses when these expatriates leave.
Dube said the association is also in trouble with Belgian coach Tom Saintfeit who is understood to be claiming about $150,000 following his short-lived stay in Zimbabwe as the Warriors coach.
“The current board doesn’t know anything about this coach (Valinhos). In fact, I never met him. He was contracted with the involvement of a certain ministry and what happened then I hear of sums like $15,000 per month and (what about) our own coaches, I don’t want to mention their salaries. Yet we are able to hire a foreign coach and give him that much at the expense of locals.
“This is wrong and must be corrected. We’ve got another example of Tom Saintfeit, who came and I don’t know how many hours he worked for the country, and he’s also claiming some money from Zifa.
“So I’m going to recommend, once again, to our board and to the Sports Commission that we must have a policy where we’ve local coaches for national teams,” said Dube.
Zifa urged the Soccer Coaches’ Union led by Moses Chunga to advance the interests of the coaches and top among them to avail opportunities to grow their skills so that they would be considered for national team duties.
He said the country has talented coaches who needed recognition. Currently the national team is being coached by former national team midfielder Callisto Pasuwa who also doubles as the Under-23 mentor.
However, there have been issues with Pasuwa of late as the coach claimed he was owed outstanding dues dating back to last year. The Zifa president said the national team coaches should be looked after well and promised to look into Pasuwa’s plight.
“Our own local national team coaches should be paid well. Their welfare should be top of the priorities, they must have medical aid and school fees for their children should be provided for.
“There are two companies that we’re negotiating with and if we’re lucky, we might get sponsorship for the coach,” said Dube.
Zifa are set to hold their joint Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting on July 25 at the Zifa Village the same day the World Cup draw will be conducted.
Sidumisile Mabena