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Washington Chimanda

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
A WAR of words has erupted between the Zifa Bulawayo Provincial executive and one of their affiliates Mpumelelo Stars’ sponsor, Lloyd Munhanga.

The former is accusing the latter of being a bully that goes about threatening referees and officials from the provincial leadership.

Munhanga, meanwhile, says some officials at Zifa are totally ignorant of how football should be run and have no respect for sponsors while being cruel to anyone perceived to be a potential political rival.

The stand off began after Mpumelelo Stars lost six points through a boardroom decision after referees were allegedly instructed to boycott their matches against Bantu Rovers and Sizane, a move that cost the Mpopoma based boys championship medals in the Under-16s and 18s.

This came after Munhanga allegedly verbally assaulted match officials in some matches after they had delayed coming for the game, an accusation the former Zimbabwe Saints official vehemently denies.

Following the stand-off, referees allegedly started boycotting Mpumelelo’s matches, while officials awarded their opponents points on a 3-0 scoreline. The referees were demanding an apology and assurances that such antics wont happen in future. The club, through their secretary, wrote a letter of apology but still the referees were adamant, insisting that Munhanga himself must apologise.

“That guy (Munhanga) has caused so much terror and havoc in our league, even during meetings people are so afraid of him because of his behaviour,” said the Zifa Bulawayo Province chairman Washington Chimanda.

He said when the referees asked for an apology from Munhanga he would not budge.

Asked why they did not invoke the necessary football statutes and punish Munhanga instead of sacrificing innocent youngsters, Chimanda said they could not risk sending referees to the team’s matches, lest they be assaulted.

However, Munhanga feels as a sponsor, the provincial leadership does not respect him and expect him to actually bow down to them.

“I am a football person and a sponsor, that’s a fact. If people like myself or Methembe Ndlovu were to pull out, what will those guys administer at the end of the day, nothing. They have no respect for sponsors who are responsible for their affiliates’ survival,” said Munhanga.

He said he has been in football for a long time to know what is right and what is wrong.

Thundered Munhanga: “When I got into football the likes of Chimanda were still at College doing their teacher training while Mthunzi was probably still in the rural areas. If whatever I did was wrong, why not punish me in person instead of punishing these youngsters”.

He was quick to point out that he was not interested in any position in the provincial leadership, in case this is what made those in power uneasy.