Former Premier Soccer League secretary-general Leslie Gwindi remained coy on whether he would give the Zifa presidency another shot, saying the next board would need to restore credibility with the government and corporate world if the game is to come out of its current crisis.
By Kevin Mapasure
The Zifa Assembly booted out the entire board led by Cuthbert Dube on Saturday, who left the association saddled with debts running into several millions and a myriad of other problems that have been suffocating the national teams.
Among those who are owed by the association is Dube himself, who claims he advanced Zifa at least $800 000.
Gwindi, who contested the last Zifa elections for the presidential post and lost to Dube, said the local game had learnt from previous mistakes of entrusting the running of the sport to people who lacked the passion and experience, adding that an opportunity had been created for football to restore its pride.
In an interview with NewsDay Sport yesterday, the former Dynamos secretary-general and Harare City chairman said Zifa councillors needed to give reins to credible people.
“It’s not a secret that our football had collapsed to an unbelievable level, so much that we even failed to participate in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers,” he said.
“The charge sheet that the councillors produced about the board is an indictment that we had established unbelievable records, which include the failure of junior teams to participate in international tournaments. People had lost faith in the game and it’s justified.”
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Gwindi commended the councillors for getting rid of the board, which he described as “insolent, arrogant and stupid”.
“This is an opportunity for football to re-establish and reposition itself. It’s a chance to reignite the passion in the game, what lies ahead is a long road to recovery and we should start by restoring integrity. We should get the right people with nuance and experience is key. They should be people who can convince the government that they are credible and accountable.”
The firebrand administrator said it was important for the new leadership to work hand in glove with the government so that they can move along with a clear understanding of objectives.
“You need to plug into the ministry and let them know what you want to do and how you want to achieve it, that’s the only way they are going to come in and help.”
For him, the first challenge would be to deal with current problems that include indebtedness and restore professionalism in the organisation.
He added that a strategic plan of how to retire the current debt was needed before the organisation can approach anybody for any help and he believes Zifa needs the right people who know how to do that.
“It all depends on the quality of people that Zifa gets, there are people who have the expertise on how to deal with such things as debt. If Zifa gets credible administrators, the corporate world will follow those people into the game.”
Gwindi would, however, not discuss whether he was willing to contest for the top post in the elections that have been set for December 5, only saying the game needed experienced leadership that has a passion for football.
Except for politician Philip Chiyangwa, who hinted he might be willing to contest for the top Zifa leadership post, no other candidate has made public their interest.
It has, however, been suggested that Castle Lager Premier League chairman current chairman Twine Phiri might be interested, but yesterday he said he had not made a decision on that.
