Who are the greatest enemies of our soccer

1)      The economy!

Well it would be a miracle to see us doing well in terms of soccer at a time when the economy is not doing well. It is thus ordinary to fail to send a team to fulfil a fixture. We should always acknowledge that on the hierarchy of want, soccer is very much up there and individuals, sponsors and even governments only pay to watch, sponsor, support when other needs/ wants have been fulfilled. What is happening is not extra-ordinary, painful as it may be and those wishing anything better should walk around the cities, especially industrial areas, and see what obtains and expect miracles.

2)      Administration

We have heard of Dube. But let us go beyond him and see what else is happening. How is soccer run in the PSL? How does it promote our soccer? I am of the opinion that what is prevailing at all levels shows how rotten the sport has become. Take the issue of referees. They are not ashamed to give dubious decisions in favour of given teams and the cosmetical suspensions remain that and have no effect. Take what happened to Buffaloes when they said Sakubva wasn’t up to the standard. ZPC Kariba faced the same. Is that how the sport is administered. What standards are we talking of here?

3)      Media

We long for an objective media. We may long for longer. Problem is that the very people who were fingered in Asiagate, another administrative boob, still think they have to call the shots. The tragedy is that there are people who think they are the Zimbabwean soccer and even if they were unbecoming in their dealing with ZIFA during Asiagate, they feel it is water under the bridge and can start abusing their offices and cause confusion. They benefitted from the confusion that enabled Asiagate, they still want to benefit. If you say, and we agree, that Dube should resign then why not resign themselves? The courts said they were not found guilty, not that they were innocent and if they are professionals, they should as well have resigned, just like they want Dube to resign.

4)      Talent

Do we have the talent that makes us take ourselves as a footballing nation? How many stars have we produced since independence? What is wrong. Is it that football talent is geographically determined? Why would West Africa do better where we are stuttering? How many stars are produced from within the southern African region? Why is it that our sport is always family based. Is it not a sign we do not have systems to produce good sportsperson

5)      Conclusion

It is clear without clearing the economy, we may continue on a freefall. However, this could also be an opportune time to address some of the issue that affect the sport but need not wait until the economy improves. 

PS - Politics?

There was a nag, that I include politics. But politics is ubiquitous and touches on almost all four diseases affecting our soccer.

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