Former Zifa chairman Leo Mugabe has questioned current president Cuthbert Dube’s stay at the helm of the association while the Zifa boat continued to sink.
BY OUR STAFF
Mugabe was Zifa boss for a decade before he was ousted in 2002. His 10-year reign saw him equally tightly holding on to power, resisting efforts to push him out, especially towards the end of his tenure.
Now the pressure is on Dube to leave Zifa amid a sharp decline of Zimbabwean football standards.
The incumbent has been leading Zifa since 2010 and the country has failed to qualify for two Afcon editions and a World Cup. Dube’s administration has seen the association experiencing the worst ever financial woes. With the government having also threatened to intervene, Mugabe has added his voice in blasting Dube’s style of administration.
“Popularity does not bring results,” said Mugabe. “If the national team is not playing, why are you there? If you cannot afford to send your Under-17s, 20s and women to play in tournaments, why are you there? Results of a board are judged by the national team’s performance.”
Ironically, Dube was at one time Zifa treasurer during Mugabe’s time. After Mugabe succumbed to a boardroom coup, Rafik Khan and Wellington Nyatanga took charge at Zifa.
Khan is regarded the most successful, after Zimbabwe qualified for two Afcon editions under him.
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Having taken a break from football, Mugabe said he is available to assist the current board.
“I am free to offer them advice. The Zifa guys have my contacts and are always welcome. Things can change if proper ways are followed. “Every chairman has his own style of running football but it is just a matter of good strategy,” he said.
