Zulu bashes Zifa councillors

Lovemore Dube
FORMER Zimbabwe international and Botswana side Notwane legend, Fabian Zulu has come out guns blazing over calls to bar those that have not been resident in the country for two years and the five O-level requirement.

Zulu said administrators were applying double standards as players who were born here and left at two years and some that were born abroad were being given passports and invited to play for the Warriors.

Zulu says that is not fair for football.

“The decision to bar those that have not been resident in the country for two years and O-levels does not sit well with me. It is double standards and downright scandal meant to eliminate former players and certain administrators.

“A clean football ecosystem is inclusive and the football family knows its best people. Those people have served football before and will not go to lengths to be considered or use money to corrupt hungry individuals,” said Zulu from his Botswana base where he is a football analyst and commentator.

Zulu said players who have never been to Zimbabwe or stayed for the mandatory two years were being considered for the national team by the same officials who want to shut out potential people who could turn around the game in the country.

“We are outside the country and learning a lot about the game and may want to return to add value to local soccer. Why not apply the same for players? They come to serve their country as would administrators. Let us respect football and stop serving selfish interests,” said Zulu who played for Hwange in Zimbabwe.

Zifa councillors met last month and made several recommendations in a document crafted with the help of Fifa and has since been submitted to the Sport and Recreation Commission for adoption.

Among key points are that whoever wants to be president of Zifa and his deputy need to have been resident in Zimbabwe for two years and also have five ‘O’ Levels or equivalent.

There is also an article on sexual inclusivity meaning players of unconventional orientation have to be accepted in national teams. In the past the constitution was quiet on that and coaches and managers dealt with it discreetly.

There was no room for junior football to sit in the Zifa Assembly, coaches were also excluded as was the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe.