News / National
9 vie for Zifa top post
12 hrs ago | Views
As the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) prepares for its presidential election on January 25, at least nine candidates have formally expressed their interest in running for the coveted position.
The nominations for the ZIFA presidency opened on November 22 and will close on December 11, with the ZIFA Normalisation Committee overseeing the election process. The candidates will undergo a vetting process, with the results expected to be announced on December 23.
The list of those vying for the presidency includes a diverse mix of individuals with varying degrees of involvement in Zimbabwean football. Among them are UK-based Marshall Gore, Yadah FC's Walter Magaya, former ZIFA board member Philemon Machana, and ex-Premier Soccer League chairperson Twine Phiri. Other contenders include current Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairperson Farai Jere, Northern Region Division One boss Martin Kweza, former Dynamos player Temba Mliswa, businessman Gilbert Muponda, and Nqobile Magwizi, a business executive.
The election will see ZIFA councillors elect not only the president but also two vice presidents, one of whom must be a woman, and six other board members. The PSL chairperson and the head of women's football will also join the board.
The race for the vice president positions is already heating up, with former ZIFA board vice president Omega Sibanda aiming for a comeback. He could face competition from former board members like Gift Banda, Peter Dube, and Modern Ngwenya, as well as PSL CEO Kennedy Ndebele, making it a highly contested race between Southern Region football stalwarts.
For the six board member positions, notable figures are entering the fray, including veteran administrator Francis Zimunya, former Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa, ex-ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela, and Northern Region Division One Vice-Chairperson Sweeney Mushonga. Also in the running are football club owners such as Chicken Inn's Tavengwa Hara, Simba Bhora chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa, and Gunners FC's former owner Cuthbert Chitima.
Former Warriors' striker Alois Bunjira, initially considered a presidential candidate, has now shifted focus to contesting a board membership post, alongside other football figures like Derrick Matapura, Miriam Sibanda, Beaular Masara, and Christine Ndou, who are all eyeing board positions.
As the election approaches, candidates are intensifying their campaigns, meeting with councillors to sell their visions for Zimbabwean football. Some have resorted to gifting presents in a bid to enhance their public image. Once the vetting process is completed, the race will intensify as candidates seek to secure their place in the leadership of ZIFA.
Nyasha Sanyamandwe, a member of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, reassured the public last month that the election process would be fair and transparent. "We promise that this is going to be a free, fair, and credible election. Following the opening of the nomination process, we will receive submissions until December 11 and carry out the vetting. On December 23, we will announce the final list of candidates who will pass the eligibility test," Sanyamandwe said.
Eligibility requirements for the presidency include five years of football administration experience and five Ordinary Level passes.
With the vetting process set to be completed by the end of the month, the race for the ZIFA presidency is expected to heat up, marking a crucial moment in the future of Zimbabwean football.
The nominations for the ZIFA presidency opened on November 22 and will close on December 11, with the ZIFA Normalisation Committee overseeing the election process. The candidates will undergo a vetting process, with the results expected to be announced on December 23.
The list of those vying for the presidency includes a diverse mix of individuals with varying degrees of involvement in Zimbabwean football. Among them are UK-based Marshall Gore, Yadah FC's Walter Magaya, former ZIFA board member Philemon Machana, and ex-Premier Soccer League chairperson Twine Phiri. Other contenders include current Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairperson Farai Jere, Northern Region Division One boss Martin Kweza, former Dynamos player Temba Mliswa, businessman Gilbert Muponda, and Nqobile Magwizi, a business executive.
The election will see ZIFA councillors elect not only the president but also two vice presidents, one of whom must be a woman, and six other board members. The PSL chairperson and the head of women's football will also join the board.
The race for the vice president positions is already heating up, with former ZIFA board vice president Omega Sibanda aiming for a comeback. He could face competition from former board members like Gift Banda, Peter Dube, and Modern Ngwenya, as well as PSL CEO Kennedy Ndebele, making it a highly contested race between Southern Region football stalwarts.
For the six board member positions, notable figures are entering the fray, including veteran administrator Francis Zimunya, former Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa, ex-ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela, and Northern Region Division One Vice-Chairperson Sweeney Mushonga. Also in the running are football club owners such as Chicken Inn's Tavengwa Hara, Simba Bhora chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa, and Gunners FC's former owner Cuthbert Chitima.
Former Warriors' striker Alois Bunjira, initially considered a presidential candidate, has now shifted focus to contesting a board membership post, alongside other football figures like Derrick Matapura, Miriam Sibanda, Beaular Masara, and Christine Ndou, who are all eyeing board positions.
As the election approaches, candidates are intensifying their campaigns, meeting with councillors to sell their visions for Zimbabwean football. Some have resorted to gifting presents in a bid to enhance their public image. Once the vetting process is completed, the race will intensify as candidates seek to secure their place in the leadership of ZIFA.
Nyasha Sanyamandwe, a member of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, reassured the public last month that the election process would be fair and transparent. "We promise that this is going to be a free, fair, and credible election. Following the opening of the nomination process, we will receive submissions until December 11 and carry out the vetting. On December 23, we will announce the final list of candidates who will pass the eligibility test," Sanyamandwe said.
Eligibility requirements for the presidency include five years of football administration experience and five Ordinary Level passes.
With the vetting process set to be completed by the end of the month, the race for the ZIFA presidency is expected to heat up, marking a crucial moment in the future of Zimbabwean football.
Source - newsday