Sports Reporter

SUGGESTIONS that Government should interfere to save the country’s football from a dark abyss by Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Tabitha Kanengoni-Malinga have divided the soccer family.
Some are in support of disbanding the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) while others are afraid of the ripple effect that will see the international football governing body, FIFA, sanctioning Zimbabwe.
According to FIFA statutes, governments must not interfere with the running of the game.
A snap survey by Patriot Sport revealed that there are some people worried about being suspended by FIFA.
On the other hand, the Cuthbert Dube-led ZIFA is under massive pressure, with some football fans calling for his resignation.
They argue that the incumbent has failed to deliver and want ‘new blood’ to lead the organisation.
Ronald Murombedzi (Msasa Park): “I think the minister needs to be sensitive on this one.
“Yes the board has failed and we need them out, but the way they are contemplating to use when removing them from office has more negatives than positives.
“If FIFA sanctions Zimbabwe, it means we are going to suffer more. We will be isolated and many of our players will fail to be marketed.
“Players like Ronald Pfumbidzai, my namesake, are young and trying to launch a career beyond our boarder.
“If ZIFA is disbanded how can they process the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) for him? I think the minister needs to engage ZIFA first and disband it as the last resort.
“No one in the country likes what ZIFA has done in the past years. The minister must just put pressure on Dube to resign. All Dube can do is watch soccer in Brazil and fail to watch Warriors playing on home soil.”
Tafadzwa Jongwe (Chegutu): “My understanding is that the move by Minister Kanengoni has serious consequences from the mother body FIFA.
“As much as the government want to rebuild our local football, dissolving ZIFA would do no good because it’s against FIFA rules.
“They should find other means of bringing our local football back to the glory days.
Ricky Kamusoko (Chinhoyi): “ZIFA has destroyed our soccer through corrupt leadership.
“I think the board should be dissolved then new members and chairman appointed.
“How can we retain Cuthbert Dube as chairman after all those allegations of corruption.
“Kanengoni is right. Dube must go!
“However, the best way to dissolve ZIFA is to follow the normal procedures and standards of FIFA, otherwise if we do it the political way, FIFA will suspend us.”
Some however, are calling for the ousting of Dube and his board regardless of the consequences.
Zimbabwe’s poor show in Africa has seen the team falling to Tanzania, one of the countries previously not regarded as a threat to the Warriors.
The Warriors have been disbanded more than twice during Dube’s tenure.
The Asiagate match-fixing scandal affected the game extensively with some players’ careers cut short like Guthrie Zhokinyu and Edmore Sibanda among others.
Sadly Dube’s promises to the football community have not been delivered.
Dube, it seems, is clinging onto the top post despite claiming that he is not getting any benefit from the game, but one thing for certain is that the country desperately needs a solution that will not destroy football in the country.