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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
GIBSON Homela said yesterday that his fate as chairman of Zimbabwe Saints FC will be known after tomorrow’s emergency meeting.
The Zimbabwe soccer great whose involvement with Chikwata spans almost 50 years, confirmed that there would be a meeting tomorrow.
He admitted that there were members who were of the view that they could do better and save the team’s legacy from collapsing hence their giving the nod for the gathering to proceed.
Saints’ future in the Zifa Southern Region Division One is hanging by a thread after they we booted out for failing to pay affiliation and registration fees. The regional management was set to meet last night to discuss the matter following concerted efforts by concerned Saints members and sympathisers to save it from collapse.
A member who does not want to be identified has pledged to pay $6,000 to clear the club’s debt to Zifa. Homela drove to Harare on Thursday to finalise the matter but could not get the money to pay Zifa as the Southern Region management appeared to be shifting goalposts over their matter.
Some in the executive, given Saints’ historical standing in the game, want a reprieve to allow them to re-join the Division One league while others fear that could set a bad precedent.
“When I was in Harare I called Bulawayo to get the Zifa Southern Region banking details but was not given. The story from them appeared to have changed from the initial position where we were supposed to pay up the money.
“We are glad to say we can clear our debts and then look at the other question which is the sustenance of the club thereafter,” said Homela.
The former club defender and striker who also starred for the national team, said he believes his executive has the brains to run the club.
“We have the brains to run the club but the challenge is that of money. Without money even the best brains cannot achieve anything in this environment in the game.
“We will see what route to take after the meeting. Others seem to have solutions on the way forward, perhaps they will spell out how they hope to sustain the club,” said Homela.
Homela said the solution lies in someone coming on board as the majority shareholder and pumping money into the club.
“Unless someone rich comes on board as a major shareholder with a better vision, our problems will never end. Our challenge has been that even during the team’s best times, we barely had over 100 people coming to our meetings, now it’s even less than 50.
“We need more people coming forward to play a part in the club, the depressed economy is making matters worse as there are few companies in Bulawayo. The solution like I said a major shareholder investing in the club would be the way to go,” said the former Warriors coach.
He added; “In the past the late Herbert Ushewokunze, Reuben Zemura, Joseph Rusike and Cephas Mkonto used to dig deep into their pockets to keep the club going.”
Saints remain the Southern Region’s second most successful league side with two league titles, two Chibuku Trophy wins, the Castle Cup and the BAT Rosebowl.
Online Reporter