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Lloyd Munhanga (right) is congratulated by Omega Sibanda, the Zifa vice-president, for winning the Benjani Mwaruwari Junior Football Festival held in May at yesterday’s presentation of balls to all the teams which reached the quarter-finals of the annual event. Looking on is benefactor Benjani Mwaruwari and Bulawayo Province Zifa board member Mkhululi Mthunzi at the Zifa Southern Region offices

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA vice-president Omega Sibanda yesterday said infighting in football has been detrimental to the sport. Speaking at a belated prize-giving ceremony for participants of the third edition of the Benjani Mwaruwari Junior Football Festival, Sibanda challenged those with differences to iron them out and let football prosper.

“Zimbabwe football is down because of infighting as well as finger pointing among football stakeholders. For our football to develop and prosper we have to unite and complement each other. We might have differences but when it comes to football let’s unite for a common purpose which is to see the sport move forward. Yes we err but what I am saying is that we have to reconcile and embrace one another,” said Sibanda.

There have been lots of reports on divisions within football administration, particularly at Zifa which have scared away potential sponsors.
Sibanda said his board has an open-door policy and encouraged potential sponsors to engage Zifa so that they are given due recognition.

“Benjy (Mwaruwari) keep it up and don’t ever forget about Zimbabwe. You have done a good job to plough back where you came from, thus developing football from the grassroots, something that we need as a nation. As Zifa, we need you former players to come on board so that we develop the country’s football together.

“Even my president (Cuthbert Dube) has been talking about his desire to see former players contributing to local football. Don’t just stand there, fold your arms and say ngokwabo lokho because you have an important part to play in uplifting our football.

“I’m also appealing to organisers of the Benjani Mwaruwari Junior Soccer Festival to continue working hand in glove with Zifa so that we give you due recognition. Even those would-be sponsors please engage Zifa when planning for your competitions through relevant offices,” Sibanda said.

Mwaruwari whose tournament was held in May and was won by Mpumelelo of Mpopoma who beat LMC 2-0 in the final yesterday gave all the eight teams that made it to the quarter-finals five imported quality match balls each.

Besides Mpumelelo and LMC, other beneficiaries were Bantu Rovers, Ajax Hotspurs, Chicken Inn, Santos, Magwegwe High School and Esigodini’s Mvuthu Secondary School.

The former Highlanders, Jomo Cosmos, AJ Auxerre and Manchester City striker said he is working on getting partners to make the soccer festival bigger.

“It is my wish to see the tournament grow from strength to strength. This competition is not about me but it’s all about football.
“Somebody helped me when I started from the bottom and grew to be a successful footballer and I want to help youngsters realise that dream.

“Now everything about the tournament is done from my own pocket but plans are going on to have sponsors to fund the competition,” said Mwaruwari.

The former Warriors captain said through the Benjani Mwaruwari Football Festival they have been able to pay school fees for 12 boys whom he hopes will be pioneers of his academy.