Zimpapers Sports Hub
CUTHBERT CHITIMA founded and transformed Gunners from a boozers’ team to Premier Soccer League champions, thanks to his undying passion for football, a sport that he fell in love with during his childhood days in Chitungwiza.
As chief executive of CAPS United, Chitima led the Green Machine to their fifth Premiership title in 2016.
Makepekepe went on to reach the group stage of the 2017 CAF Champions League.
Chitima is a businessman who also worked as a banker for 25 years and believes this “profound” experience qualifies him to be in the next ZIFA board.
When Zimpapers Sports Hub caught up with him yesterday, Chitima emphasised the need for team work at national football administration level.
“That is the reason why I feel as an aspiring board member I should not be talking about the grand vision for ZIFA, that should come from the president.
“As board members we should support the president’s vision, correct and guide him where necessary,” he said.
Chitima was Gunners president when “Chando Kupisa” upset the applecart to lift the 2009 Premier Soccer League title.
The legendary Moses “Bambo” Chunga was the coach.
“What started off as a social team ended up being a professional entity.
“We then partnered Allan Wilson High and the school became a talent hub.
“We would go around in search of young talent, and those scouted would be enrolled with this school.
“We would actually pay fees for the boys, not this current situation where we have academies fleecing parents of their hard earned money,” Chitima said.
He believes the academy system has to be restructured so that it supports a proper football development programme.
“We need to examine some of these academies. Are they really developing players or are they after money?
“So, there is a need for a system that enforces proper registration and monitoring of academies.
“Football is developed from the grassroots and there is a need for Zimbabwe to have vibrant youth leagues across the country.
“As a football enthusiast, I move around watching youth football matches and I have realised Zimbabwe has got massive talent, we just need proper development structures,” said Chitima.
He says he has no allies, and will support whoever is elected the next ZIFA president.
Nqobile Magwizi, Martin Kweza, Twine Phiri, Makwinji Soma Phiri, Marshal Gore and Philemon Machana are vying for the presidency.
Over 30 candidates are angling for the six board member positions.
It’s a strong field that includes some football heavyweights, but Chitima feels he has gained enough experience that should be utilised at national level.
“As your servant leader, humble and approachable, thorough and a project specific corporate governance evangelist, I wish to use my 25 years banking experience, technical and junior development experience, to add value to the ZIFA football ecosystem,” says Chitima.
He added: “Such experience merged with other football expertise to be joined into the ZIFA ecosystem, gives this nation hope that teamwork, guaranteed in partnerships at the Football Association, is an exciting prospect for Zimbabwe.
“Building the entire structure with a bias towards development and competition, invariably gives Zimbabwe a quality end product.
“My passion for ensuring development is connected to competence and quality of national teams, must be harnessed.”
Chitima feels “too much attention” is given to the national senior men’s team, the Warriors, at the expense of other national teams including the women’s teams.
“There is a worrisome gap between the Warriors and women’s national teams right from junior up to senior level.
“Whenever the Warriors have a fixture there’s urgency and a hefty budget is allocated, but the same does not happen when our girls have international assignments.
“There should be equity in terms of resource allocation for both male and female teams.
“My interests lie in youth football development for both girls and boys. That’s why I have been travelling across Zimbabwe, to areas such as Honde Valley, to watch youth games and I can assure you that talent is abundant.
“How to tap that talent is the problem.
“So we will need to have provincial scouts who will come up with provincial select squads which can compete against each other. From there we can have a fair representation in the national teams.
“Not this situation where we only have players from Harare and Bulawayo playing for junior national teams.”
Chitima was raised in Zengeza, Chitungwiza where he played Area Zone football for a team called Hotspurs.
An injury plus a desire to pursue academics put paid to his football career.