"Cuthbert Dube Must Go"- Football Fans
Zimbabwean football fans have expressed disappointment following the ban imposed on Zimbabwe’s national soccer team by world football governing FIFA on Thursday.
In Bulawayo, residents have unanimously called for the ouster of Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president Cuthbert Dube and his executive for failing to properly run the affairs of the soccer mother body leading to the ban of the senior national team from participating in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The residents say the ZIFA president and his entire board should resign en masse as they have brought shame on Zimbabwe by humiliating the whole nation to the international world.
Some are questioning how Dube was re-elected despite being implicated in the PSMAS salary gate scandal while others say he has no knowledge of football, let alone the passion for the game.
The greatest fear is that the dream of young players has been shattered.
The expulsion of the senior national team brings to four the number of Zimbabwean football teams to be banned under Cuthbert Dube’s leadership.
In 2012, the Under 17 and the Under 20 teams were suspended for failing to fulfill international fixtures against Congo and Angola.
Highlanders were also banned from participating in CAF competitions after ZIFA registered the club in the Confederations Cup without their approval.
Meanwhile, a cross section of people in Gweru have expressed shock and disappointment over the expulsion of Zimbabwe from 2018 Russia World Cup preliminary football qualifiers saying the expulsion is a disgrace to the nation.
They say Cuthbert Dube and his executive must pack their bags and leave the ZIFA offices.
Others say if Dube and his executive defy people’s calls, government should take a bold decision and fire the entire ZIFA executive.
Zimbabwe was on Thursday expelled from the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be held in Russia after failing to settle a US$67 000 debt owed to former Warriors’ Brazilian coach Valinhos
ZBC