Who will take over Zifa hot seat ?

Sport
Businessman Phillip Chiyangwa is among a host of names that are already being thrown around as potential successors of fired Zifa president Cuthbert Dube.

Businessman Phillip Chiyangwa is among a host of names that are already being thrown around as potential successors of fired Zifa president Cuthbert Dube.

BY BRIAN NKIWANE

Dube was shown the door by Zifa councillors yesterday despite promising to resign from the post in December. He had resigned on the eve of the extraordinary general meeting held yesterday.

Councillors close to Chiyangwa said the business mogul had indicated that he would consider taking up the post one day.

“I know Phillip has the money and he has the spine to run football, said one councillor.

phillip-chiyangwa

Premier Soccer League chairman Twine Phiri — a member of the Zifa board that was fired on Saturday — is said to have declared interest in taking over from Dube in the next election.

Trevor David Juul, who lost to Dube in the last election in the second round, is also said to have shown interest in making a dramatic comeback to local football leadership.

Veteran journalist, Charles Mabika’s name was also being thrown around at Prince Edward yesterday as a possible replacement for Dube.

Others felt that Dube’s vice-president, Omega Sibanda has what it takes to take Zimbabwean football to another level.

Councillors who spoke to Standardsport said the next president should be chosen from the current general assembly to allow for continuity, which would rule out most of the front runners.

“I think capable football leaders will come amongst us, the 54 that are here.

“Bringing someone from outside will cause us problems such as these ones. We want someone with football at heart,” said one councillor.