Zim soccer supporters threaten demos

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwean soccer supporters are threatening to demonstrate at the offices of Sports and Recreation Commission chairman Gerald Mlotshwa, in a bid to force the top lawyer to reverse his suspension of the Felton Kamambo-led Zifa board.

Mlotshwa suspended Kamambo and his board on November 16, 2021, citing a litany of allegations, including abuse of funds and failing to deal with reported cases of sexual abuse of female referees.

World football governing body, Fifa deemed the move third-party interference and effectively suspended Zimbabwe from international football in February 2022.

Since then, Fifa has maintained that Zimbabwe can only be readmitted back if the Kamambo-led board is reinstated.

Interestingly, Mlotshwa has remained adamant, insisting that reforms are key first before seeking readmission.

The SRC even went on to appoint a Restructuring Committee, which has since presented its report to the sports council.

And now, Zimbabwe risks being expelled from Fifa when the world governing body holds its Congress in Rwanda on March 16.

Item four on the Congress’ agenda talks about the suspension or expulsion of a member, and fears are growing that Zimbabwe could be a victim.

The situation has forced the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association to react.

ZNSSA Secretary-General, Joseph Mutawu, told the local media on Friday that fans would demonstrate if Mlotshwa fails to heed the call to reinstate Kamambo.

“As supporters, we have now realised that the road which was taken by SRC has led us to nowhere,” said Mutawu.

“The only expected destination in this case is leading Zimbabwean football into oblivion, destruction, extinction and misery.

“As Zimbabwean supporters, that cannot happen under our watch and demand that the SRC end its madness.”

The ZNSSA accuses Mlotshwa of fighting personal wars with Kamambo.

“Do not hold the hearts of 14 million people at ransom because of your petty fights which bring no value to football.

“Put yourselves into the shoes of the crying football nation and be patriotic for once.

“Zimbabwe needs its football back now rather than later,” said Mutawu.

He added: “As Zimbabwean soccer supporters we are not going to tire until our football returns to normal.

“We are going to demonstrate at your respective offices if need be until you do the right thing.

“As educated as you are, Mlotshwa being the lawyer that you are and Kamambo being a senior manager at Grain Marketing Board please find common ground and make a national interest decision.

“For sure we have been quiet, we wanted to take a wait-and-see approach.

“We wanted to give the administration time to resolve this issue, but it has led us nowhere.”

The Fifa Annual General Meeting kicks off on March 16 in Kigali, Rwanda and number four on the agenda is the ban or expulsion of a member.