Zifa Normalisation Committee dissolves women socc...

Zifa Normalisation Committee dissolves women soccer super league executive

**Zifa Normalisation Committee chairman, Lincoln Mutasa**

Zim Now Writer

The Lincoln Mutasa-led Zifa Normalisation Committee on Wednesday dissolved Zifa Women's Super League executive and in the meantime all issues concerning the league are being handled by the Zifa Women Football desk, awaiting the appointment of an interim committee in due course.

In his letter dated February 7, 2024, Mutasa said the disbanding has been necessitated by the lack of an instrument to guide the league.

He also cited the lack of rules and regulations in the league as well as that the league administrator was a director in one of the teams in the league, rendering her biased in decisions making concerning her team.

“An interim committee shall be appointed in due course to govern the league while we wait for elections.

“In the meantime, all league matters will be addressed through the Zifa Women Football desk,” reads the letter.

Gerry-Mike Gumbo, the founding coach at Bindura’s Auckaland Queens FC, one of the pioneering teams of the super league, hailed Mutasa and company for the move.

He said the Babra Chikosi led Zimbabwe Women Soccer Super League executive was not transparent neither was it development-oriented.

“In terms of development, (the disbanding) makes a lot of sense because if you see for the past five years, they did nothing to develop women football.

“Legally, the normalisation committee is offside because they did not quote any constitutional clause as it is part of guidance to reform football.

“So, at the end it’s very tricky and the million-dollar question now is, how are they going to run women football as the Zifa constitution does not have option for an interim committee?” asked Gumbo.

Speaking about the league executive’s performance, Gumbo said they failed to address policy, financial management and development strategy issues during their tenure.

Gumbo said since its introduction, the league executive failed to come up with marketing strategies to attract sponsors.

“They could not come up with refresher courses for administrators, players, coaches all the years.

“Their operations lacked transparency and accountability,” he added.

Auckaland Queens FC played in the super league the period between 2014 and 2016 before being “dubiously” relegated to first-tier league.

A year letter, they again came out tops in the division and were supposed to play in the super league. However, they allege, the same executive again blocked them, leading to the team’s collapse in 2022.

Meanwhile, the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League chairman, Martin Kweza has set Sunday February 11 as the date when Zambezi G &C FC will clash with Shamva Mine FC at Trojan Stadium for a ticket into the Ruyamuro Service Station sponsored Northern Region Division One soccer league.

But before that, on Saturday, second runners-up in the just-ended local division two soccer league from the two slots in the province, Batanai United and Centenary FC will clash in the annual, Mashonaland Central Zifa chairperson Gilbert Saika-sponsored Chairman's Cup to be played at Nzvimbo Secondary School grounds.