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Sports Reporter
FORMER Zifa secretary-general John Nkathazo yesterday emerged from his hibernation in football when he called on the Zifa board to either shape up or ship out. Before getting into football administration before the turn of the century, Nkatazo had blown the whistle for 24 years and was on the Fifa panel from 1982 to 1992.

Nkathazo said he was no longer actively involved in football but pointed out that his heart bleeds every time the Warriors failed to make an impression in any match.

In 2006, Nkathazo made an attempt to contest for the Zifa presidency before the post was landed by Wellington Nyatanga, who was making a comeback to football.

But the Warriors’ miscarriage in 2015 African Cup of Nations campaign, where they failed to progress past continental lightweights Tanzania in a preliminary round tie, forced Nkathazo to make a few points on the national game.

Zimbabwe lost 1-0 in the first leg in Dar as Salaam and then failed to wipe out the deficit as they settled for a 2-2 at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday. Yesterday the former top Zifa official challenged the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture to take drastic action again the Zifa board so that proper football structures for development are set up.

“I have been watching events unfolding for a long time but I could not come out and register my displeasure with our football.
“At the moment the national team is out of the Nations Cup and this means for the next few years we would not be playing meaningful international football. Maybe this is the time that the Ministry should intervene and take some action.

“I am aware that Fifa may suspend us for two or three years but already we are out during this time. We should then use this period to reorganise ourselves,” said Nkathazo.

Nkatazo said he still remembers that Malawi once took a similar route in the 1970s.
“I think Malawi made a similar move in the 1970s. They were away from international football and when they made a return, they were a force to reckon with. It’s painful but it will force people to get focused when they regroup,” said Nkathazo.

Nkathazo believes the brush between Warriors coach Ian Gorowa and chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze before the match in Tanzania could have affected the coach’s focus.

“We are made to understand that there was some discord between the coach and the chief executive before the game. That dispute could have affected the coach’s focus with the team preparations,” he said.

However, Nkathazo feels that the weakest link in Zimbabwean football at the moment has been the office of chief executive.
“The best decision would have been for the board to fire the chief executive instead of issuing out a public apology. It’s time they fire Jonathan and then take a proper look at the technical team,” said Nkathazo.

On Monday, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa said there was a need to look at youth teams like the Under-15 and Under-17 so that the nation will have a strong foundation when they play at the next major events.