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George Mbwando

Sports Reporter
GERMANY-based coach George Mbwando has become the latest former Zimbabwe international to throw his weight behind Edzai Kasinauyo’s candidature for the ZIFA board and urged the councillors to give former footballers a chance to become involved in administration by backing the ex-Moroka Swallows midfielder. Mbwando, who in February last year contemplated running for a post on the board, saluted Kasinauyo for “answering the call to have former players taking up posts in the ZIFA administration’’.

The ZIFA councillors will converge at the ZIFA Village in Mt Hampden on Saturday to choose a new leadership following their October 3 resolution to revoke the mandate of the previous board led by Cuthbert Dube. Mbwando said he was also happy that Kasinauyo had opted to start by being a board member which would enable him to “learn more’’.

“Everyone was crying that former players are absent, but here is one of us who has come on board. I have known Edzai for a long time and I know that he can deliver.

“I am happy that he has started from the board level, he is a fast learner and he will quickly adapt. I was in England and former players like Brian Badza, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Liberty Masunda, Ma- Rhino (Maxwell Dube) were telling me that they are happy to see him vying for the board and that at 40 he represents the future of our football.

“So I hope this might be the chance for the councillors to save our football.

“The ball is in their court to revive the good old days and we are saying as former players in the Diaspora we are prepared to help him in the development of the game. I am also in contact with some Bundesliga clubs that are willing to develop our game in any manner and if Edzai is in there, it will be a lot easier to co-ordinate the support.

“When you get legends like Peter supporting his cause it is because they know where he has come from and what changes we face. Edzai is a perfect example for junior development if you trace his roots from his days at Black Rhinos Juniors, CAPS United, Arcadia, Blackpool and going forward. He went through a lot of coaches and can use that experience for the benefit of our football.

“So I am saying councillors must think about the priceless moments we had and also consider the possible synergies with European clubs which are there for the taking. “I could have contested for president, but the rules make me ineligible because I have not been resident in Zimbabwe for five years so let’s support those who will be elected on Saturday,’’ Mbwando said.

Former CAPS United left back Mpumelelo Dzowa also weighed with his support for Kasinauyo and the pair of James Takavada and Lincoln Mutasa. Dzowa said was confident that the councillors who make up the ZIFA Assembly had learnt their lessons from the events that had characterised the domestic game in the last decade.

“I am convinced beyond doubt football events of the past decade have schooled the current councillors to make a wise choice for the good of the game. I would love to wish my former players Takavada, Mutasa and Kasinauyo good luck they carry our message of hope for the bright future of football,’’ Dzowa said.

Takavada is contesting against Philip Chiyangwa, Trevor Carelse- Juul and Leslie Gwindi in the race to become the next ZIFA president. Former Dynamos chairman Mutasa will battle it out with Omega Sibanda in the bid to become the ZIFA vice president.

It is the first time that Mutasa is vying for a post on the ZIFA board while Sibanda is seeking a fresh term as vice president, arguing that he was frozen out from executing his duties by the previous leadership before being suspended.