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Paul Pindani in BANKET
NQOBILE MAGWIZI’s sensational ZIFA elections triumph on Saturday was a victory made in heaven and played down here on earth, according to the Banket community in Mashonaland West Province.
Magwizi secured a convincing win, beating four other contenders — Philemon Machana Twine Phiri, Mar-shal Gore and Makwinji Soma-Phiri — to land the biggest football seat in the country — the ZIFA presidency on a four-year term.
It is easily the biggest win by any ZIFA presidential candidate in an election race.
Magwazi polled 61 out of the 72 valid votes, while five were spoiled papers.
His nearest rival, Machana, was a distant second with a paltry six, two ahead of Twine Phiri, Gore had one, and former Highlanders and Dynamos striker Soma-Phiri could not muster any. Trevor Mukoti told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the people of Banket are basking in glory over their board member’s victory.
“Magwizi’s ascendancy to the top ZIFA post was an election made in heaven and played down here on earth.
“He is definitely going to change the landscape of Zimbabwean football,” said Mukoti.
He is hopeful that Magwizi will excel in office and be remembered as one of the best administrators to take charge of the national game.
“His massive experience as a renowned businessman will come as a bonus in the growth and development of football in the country.
Agatha Chifamba concurred with Mukoti, adding that Magwizi could transform ZIFA.
“It was a frenzied campaign, and at the end of the day, Magwizi romped to victory. He has all the qualities of a ZIFA president.
“His wealth of experience will bring our football back from the abyss. Magwizi needs the backing and support of everyone for him to be able to promote and develop football,” she said.
Mukoti said she was very confident that Magwizi will, among other initiatives, put a youth investment programme to develop and nurture young talent. Banket United Vice Chairman, Nelson Nzombe, told Zimpapers Sports Hub that Magwizi’s victory will bring the much-needed financial stability through sponsorship.
“It means a lot in terms of Banket United sponsorship,” said Nzombe.
Also in attendance at the watershed elections were FIFA Senior Member Association Governance Services Manager Ahmed Harraz, Walter Nyamilandu Manda (FIFA consultant and former president of the Football Association of Malawi), CAF director Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna, CAF legal counsel Nadim Magdy, and a member of the CAF secretariat, Kennedy Makambira.
Online Reporter