The Friends of the Warriors yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa to discuss issues with regards to the state of football in the country. SPORTS REPORTER
In a no holds barred and frank talk, the Minister said he has no intention to fire the Zifa board because he believes they were elected into office legally in accordance with Fifa Statutes.
The Minister said he was satisfied with the electoral procedure during Zifa elections which were supervised by the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC).
Further he expressed his gratitude to Zifa president Cuthbert Dube who he believes has contributed immensely to the cause of Zimbabwe football through using his own resources despite coming into office against the backdrop of corruption, financial challenges and huge debts. He noted that there were some people implicated in the Asiagate scandal who are pursuing personal grudges in order to cover up their misdeeds which were exposed.
The Friends of the Warriors appraised the Minister on the existence of an organised clique of corrupt soccer supporters, soccer players, journalists and former administrators who are ganging up in order to bring anarchy in football for their selfish gains.
This group has been corruptly benefiting from match fixing and illegal betting cartels. The same group is the one calling for the banishment of Zimbabwe from playing international football despite the grave effects of that action.
Langa said like many Zimbabweans the draw to Tanzania and the subsequent elimination of Zimbabwe from the African cup of Nations tournament to be held in Morocco early next year was a bitter pill to swallow.
Despite the temptation to get emotional and fire salvos at the coaches and Zifa, he said he gathered enough courage to understand that failures were part of the game. Instead he felt it was important to pick up the pieces and move on. He emphasised that the current Zifa board should speak with one voice and Zifa should in turn correct its mistakes.
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He said his office is open to all progressive supporters with constructive criticism.
