Kawondera, ironically a product of Grabowski’ soccer development expertise, recently posted xenophobic speech against the Polish-born mentor on his account on the social networking site, Facebook.
He was commenting on an alleged rift between Grabowski and Kevin Bulaji, a DT Africa United player who was recently stopped from allegedly breaching his contract with the club to join Caps United.
“I am still hurt to see my young player, Kevin Bulaji, not playing because Grabowski is refusing to give him a clearance. I think as Africans, sometimes we need to be Africans. I mean the animal like behaviour, I’m sure, will suit us better. How can a man come all the way from Poland and own a man in his own country? We need full empowerment,” said Kawondera, a self-confessed Zanu (PF) apologist.
When The Zimbabwean followed him up for a comment, Kawondera was unapologetic and stood by his remarks.
“I wrote everything from the bottom of my heart. It’s very sad to allow a stranger in our country to kill the future of a young man by denying him a clearance letter. Grabowski came a long way from Poland and he must behave himself in our country, not frustrate our players,” he said.
However, fans believed that the controversial player should retract his statement, especially after Grabowski has shown over the years that he is one of the very few administrators passionate about developing Zimbabwean soccer.
“We don’t want failed players like Shingi to politicize our beautiful game. Kawondera, who at one time went to Poland because of Grabowski’s help, should not today come back and bite the hand that fed him. He has failed to deliver on the pitch and is now trying to cause unnecessary confusion by insulting one of best football mentors in our country. Grabowski has been here for more than 10-years and qualifies to be a Zimbabwean,” said South African-based Masimba Dube.
Tshepo Mabalane, who lives in the UK, called local football authorities to take punitive action against the former Warriors striker.
“The country’s football administrators should take drastic measures against Kawondera because this is the second time he has made such controversial remarks,” said Mabalane.
“Remember this is the same guy who once openly bragged about his support for Zanu (PF)’s controversial policies. If he is left to be, he will no doubt mislead many of our players. If Bulaji signed a contract with DT Africa United, then he must honour it. Why then is Kawondera making so much noise and tarnishing our football’s image? He must retract his remarks.”
Harare resident, Marko Chivi concurred.
“Kawondera should publicly apologise. His utterances are very pathetic, tarnishing and dangerous to our country. What he said was utter rubbish. ZIFA must summon and fine him to avoid a repeat of such situations.”
The man at the centre of controversy, Bulaji started his career at Oriel Boys High before a stint at Division Two side, SeedCo in 2008 and 2009. He but later joined DT Africa, who were playing in Harare’s Division Three league.
The striker recently took his case to the Zifa Players’ Status Committee, as he claimed that he played for the former Premiership outfit without a contract.
He paid the appeals fee of US$1 000 and also appealed the Footballer’s Union of Zimbabwe for help.
DT Africa recently accused the young player of being a cheat and revealed that they had suspended for unprofessional conduct, indiscipline and shady deals with CAPS United without DT Africa’s endorsement.
Post published in: Sport