Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS the ink dries on the Premier Soccer League ballot papers, one of the losing candidates Leonard Musariri has urged all contestants in last week’s polls to put behind the election mode and unite to turn the top-flight into an enviable entity, which its elite status deserves.
Simba Bhora chairman Isiah Mupfurutsa edged his Manica Diamonds counterpart Masimba Chihowa 10-8 in a close second round voting contest to emerge the PSL’s boss for the next four years.
Banker, Mupfurutsa, had been the front runner in the opening round with eight votes, Chihowa had five, Musariri polled three and FC Platinum chairman Dumisani Sisale came a distant fourth with just two.
Ngezi Platinum Stars chairman Musariri yesterday spoke out for the first time since the first PSL elections in seven years, casting the figure of a man who was gracious in defeat.
The Harare businessman said it was important for everyone in the league to view elections in the same vein as any other sporting contest where one side would either win or lose.
“Elections by their nature are a necessary constitutional requirement that must be fulfilled periodically,’’ Musariri said.
“Of course, as is common knowledge, we could not hold the PSL elections after the initial four years due to the well-documented problems that rocked our football and eventually invited FIFA’s direct intervention.
“The good thing is following the reforms that took place (under the Normalisation Committee) we were able to eventually hold our elections and once again I must congratulate chairman Mupfurutsa and everyone, who was elected onto the Emergency Committee.
“I must congratulate colleagues who put their hands up to contest and for me it points to a healthy future for the PSL.
I would have been worried if no-one had come forward to want to lead the league,’’ Musariri said. He believes that the PSL could emerge stronger from the elections if the leadership and the club governors embrace the visions, which all the candidates had put forward in their different manifestos.
“The visions enunciated in those manifestos were real and if as a league we embrace them, refine them and rally behind the chairman and his team we will in the end achieve the PSL that we all dream of.
“The election just like a football cup final has come and gone, there was a winner, there was a loser or losers as it were but like true sportsmen, we shake hands after the final whistle and we still discuss and work for the good of football and share a drink.
“I don’t believe that the process divided the league, I think it strengthened us because everyone spoke of the need to improve the welfare of our clubs, to uplift and professionalise the top-flight and make the PSL that every team in Zimbabwe would aspire to play in.
“It is our collective duty as club governors to make the job of the leadership easier by adhering to the rules and regulations of the PSL, by operating within the confines of the ZIFA, CAF and FIFA statutes.
“I also believe that a healthy PSL will also reflect on strong national teams.”
Musariri also predicted a tight run in for the PSL championship title similar to what was witnessed in the just-ended elections.
“Naturally I would not only tip Ngezi Platinum Stars to win but would actually want us to reclaim the league title.
“It will no doubt be a race that will be tight and too close to call because all the teams have upped their game especially in the second half of the season, hence we are witnessing narrow victory margins.
“My call is that let’s continue to practise the FIFA Fair Play tenets, which speak to fair competition, respect and sportsmanship, both on and off the field.
“Those principles include playing fairly, accepting defeat with dignity, observing the rules, respecting opponents and officials, and promoting football’s positive image while rejecting negativity like doping, racism, and violence and collectively we can achieve this and turn on a positive outlook for our league,’’ added Musariri.
