adminZIMBABWE Soccer Coaches Association chairman Bhekimpilo Nyoni has refuted allegations that his organisation was taking long to seek fresh mandate following the expiry of their term office in March this year.
The football coaches’ representative body was supposed to hold elections at the same time with the Zifa elections in March this year which they failed to do. Nyoni later said the elections would be held in August, but about two months down the line the polls have not been held.
Sources in coaching circles said Nyoni was delaying the holding of elections because he was not sure whether he would retain the post. However, Nyoni, who is also the BN Academy boss, dismissed the allegations.
“It is clear the executive wants to hold onto power without the mandate of the coaches because they have never given us any plausible reason why the elections are not being held. People are waiting for them to set the date and we put a new executive in power. As you are aware many feel the current executive hasn’t done much and maybe new leadership can give the coaches a stronger voice and represent us adequately,” said a coach, who declined to be named.
Nyoni, however, said he was not power hungry and that his association was held back by lack of funds to organise the elections.
“We were struggling financially and did not have the funds to hold the elections but I engaged Zifa chief executive officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze and they (Zifa) expressed willingness to assist us.
“I am sure we are going to be able to hold the elections in December as that is the month that has been set and coaches will be free to elect
their representatives then. I am not power hungry and I am willing to subject myself to elections,” said Nyoni.
“I don’t want to force myself in the body, I know our tenure is over but we can’t leave a vacuum as we have to run the association until elections are held. We are not actively participating in duties and I have asked Zifa technical director, Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe, to run courses,” he said although sources revealed Zifa was now fully responsible for coaching courses with Zisca playing a peripheral role.
Other members of Zisca’s executive include Andrew Kadengu who is the vice-chairman, Alex Mafu, treasurer, Oscar Mazhambe, the secretary and organising secretary, Prosper Kwenda.
Nyoni’s executive had in the past forced to deal with accusations of being insipid and failing the coaches leading to the formation of a rival body, the Soccer Coaches Union of Zimbabwe led by Moses Chunga.
Online Reporter