The ManicaPost
Sports Correspondent
| SUSPENDED Zifa Women Soccer League board member, Cecilia Gambe, is devoting inordinate amount of time and effort taunting the local media, The Manica Post in particular, for publicising her tantrum at Sakubva Stadium in May this year and her recent subsequent suspension. |
Just in the same way she used her emotions instead of reason on that sunny Sunday afternoon at Sakubva Stadium, Gambe has been in the trenches, on a warpath against this newspaper since May when the story appeared on The Manica Post sports page.
Only last Friday after the publication of the story of her suspension based on information posted on the Zifa official website, an irate Gambe phoned The Manica Post offices and hurled insults to the Editor over the phone, demanding to know why this newspaper had published the story.
The outspoken football administrator-cum-politician was in an abusive mood as she refused to pay attention to explanation on the reason why the story was written.
During the same conversation, Gambe interestingly dismissed the story, discrediting the information on the official Zifa website and challenging The Manica Post to visit Sakubva Stadium to see whether she would not be there.
However, Gambe, who must have later sobered up, was nowhere to be seen on Sunday afternoon when Premiership promotion chasing Yadah locked horns against Buffaloes at Sakubva Stadium.
As she persistently asked during that telephone conversation with The Manica Post Editor why the story on her recent suspension was published, the suspended Zifa Women Soccer League board member (competitions) alleged that The Manica Post had a hidden agenda against her.
Gambe told The Manica Post Editor that the newspaper should have sought her comment before going to print and alleged that the information on the official Zifa website was not factual.
She signed off by labelling the Editor and the newspaper ‘stupid’.
However, Zifa spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, told this newspaper on Wednesday that due procedures were being followed leading to her disciplinary hearing.
Gwesela said the date for the hearing had not yet been set aside.
“We do not have the date yet for the disciplinary hearing for Cecilia Gambe. Due processes are being followed in line with the constitution. We will certainly make announcements when all has been put in place. You can talk to the vice-president for finer details as he is in charge of disciplinary issues,” said Gwesela.
Zifa vice-president, Omega Sibanda, referred all questions back to Gwesela.
“You can talk to the spokesperson, he has all the details about the case,” said Sibanda.
In what onlookers could be forgiven to describe as a typical moment of madness, least expected of a ‘competent’ national football administrator, in May this year, Gambe invaded the pitch in the 44th minute during Mutare City Rovers and How Mine league encounter at Sakubva Stadium.
During the May incident at Sakubva Stadium, Gambe charged towards referee Brighton Chimene shouting at the young and talented Rusape referee.
Gambe was apparently incensed by perceived biased match officiating against the home team during the Castle Lager Premiership match pitting hosts Mutare City Rovers and How Mine.
Gambe, whose conduct was a bad advert to the beautiful game, instantly left the match venue soon after the incident.
Apparently, this is not the first time that Gambe has tried to express her anger to this newspaper through unorthodox ways after she stormed The Manica Post offices, threatening to undress before senior Government officials on the day of Mutare’s radio station, Diamond FM official launch ceremony at The Manica Post building in May. This was soon after her Sakubva Stadium real life drama was published.
A fortnight ago, Zifa finally flexed its muscle and suspended the outspoken women football administrator.
As part of conditions for her suspension pending disciplinary hearing, football match venues across the country are now a no go area for the controversial women soccer administrator.
