Langa Mabena
The date for the upcoming Zifa elections has not been set, but lobbying for votes has started, with Bulawayo based members of the voting cluster meeting with prospective candidates last Thursday.
Councillors based in Bulawayo met with two candidates for the Zifa presidium, Prophet Walter Magaya, who is eyeing the presidency, and Gift Banda, who wants another dance as vice president.
“About 18 people who are in Zifa structures met on Thursday to look at the changes that have been proposed for the constitution. The feeling among some prospective candidates is that some amendments proposed under ethics, legal issues and educational qualifications might prevent them from contesting. This means campaigning has started,” said a source who attended the meeting.
Media reports recently indicated that the football fraternity was not sailing in the same boat ahead of a the crucial ZIFA elections slated for January next year.
The Lincoln Mutasa-led Normalisation Committee’s term expires in the first month of 2025, paving the way for the elections to vote for the new ZIFA board, which will govern Zimbabwean football for the next five years.
Ahead of the annual general meeting slated for October 18 in Harare, the Mutasa-led administration sent out a draft constitution which members will go through and analyse ahead of the crucial indaba.
As per procedure, the ZIFA congress will then adopt the proposed constitution or amend it. There are certain clauses on the daft constitution which have generated debate among football stakeholders, chief among them Article 38.7 which reads: “The president and the two vice presidents of the Executive Committee shall have passed a minimum of five O-Level subjects or any equivalent educational level.”
The United Kingdom-based duo of FIFA Football agent Ellen Chiwenga and Marshall Gore, ZIFA Northern Region chairman Martin Kweza, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) founder and leader Prophet Walter Magaya, former Warriors and CAPS United winger Alois Bunjira, FC Wangu Mazodze owner Richard Mazodze, veteran broadcaster Charles Mabika and former CAPS United president Twine Phiri, are some of the individuals believed to be interested in contesting for the ZIFA presidency. (Sports Reporter/www.soccer24.co.zw)
Online Reporter