Zimbabwe Football Association president, Cuthbert Dube, who resigned Friday following pressure from the football fraternity, accusing him of failing to properly run soccer in the country, says he left the organization in the interest of football in the country.
ZIFA spokesman, Xolisani Gwesela said Dube indicated that he will be leaving office in December and the ZIFA Council, the organization’s top decision-making body, will map the way forward.
In a statement, Dube said, “In the interest of football in Zimbabwe and as a true, tried and tested patriot, I have decided to resign as ZIFA President. I shall remain President of ZIFA until elections for a new President are held on 5 December 2015.
The reason for allowing for this transitional period is to ensure that they will not be a vacuum that will exacerbate rather than ameliorate the challenges that the association is facing. Unlike what has happened in the past I intend, through this process, to ensure that there will be a proper and responsible hand-over/take-over process.”
Dube said while he has been a subject of humiliation over the past few years, he will leave office with his head high in view of the Goal Project legacy that he left.
“It is common cause that I am the only ZIFA President that presided over a FIFA Goal Project and saw it to its completion. A good number of national team assignments would not have been fulfilled without commitment of my personal resources and assets. I am sure that as the new Board is ushered in at the 5th December Elective Extra-ordinary Congress, the full import of my contribution will be realised.
He thanked President Robert Mugabe for supporting soccer in Zimbabwe as well as Sports Minister Makhosini Hlongwane for his immense contribution to soccer since assuming duty less than a month ago.
“I would like to put on record that without his assistance, our Mighty Warriors would not have gone to play their away game with Cameroon. I must sincerely appreciate his efforts, I also want to thank all the other ministries who played their part behind the scenes. My other appreciations go to my fellow board members, both past and present, for supporting me throughout my tenure, since 2010 notwithstanding the fact that we operated under a very difficult and prohibitive environment,” he said.
Dube also thanked players and supporters as well as spectators who make the game governable and enjoyable. “The coaches, referees, team managers and their assistants, and all the technical teams and match commissioners deserve my gratitude for making football playable in the country and beyond.”
At the same time he thanked ZIFA sponsors and the Sports and Recreation Commission for supporting the organization.
“Last but not least, I would like to thank my family most sincerely for their solid, unwavering and unconditional support during the turbulent times throughout my tenure of office as ZIFA President. May the Almighty God give you and your families abundant showers of blessings in all your endeavours, particularly the football endeavour.
“May you always remember that the fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom.”