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Robson Sharuko
H-Metro Editor
NQOBILE Magwizi received the backing of 84,7 percent of the ZIFA Councillors on Saturday — the biggest percentage of the vote for a candidate seeking the presidency of the association since the Council was expanded to have more than 50 voters.
Cuthbert Dube received 75,8 percent of the vote, in a run-off, to beat Trevor Carelse-Juul in the ZIFA presidential poll in March 2014.
Dube had received 58,6 percent of the vote in the first round, but given he failed to pass the two-thirds threshold, the poll went into a run-off.
There were 58 Councillors for that poll after PSL clubs voted as standalone delegates instead of the league just having six votes as was in the past.
Felton Kamambo took just 59.32 percent of the vote in 2018 and, with Philip Chiyangwa withdrawing from a run-off, he was confirmed as ZIFA boss.
On Saturday, Magwizi powered to a blowout victory after winning 61 of the 72 valid votes for an impressive 84,7 percent of the vote.
But, how did he do it?
While Wicknell Chivayo’s intervention, promising the Councillors cars should Magwizi win, boosted his cause, an H-Metro analysis has shown that the Harare businessman had also done his homework very well.
In the decisive final days of the elections, Magwizi went on a charm offensive, reaching out to many of those who had positioned themselves to fight for the ZIFA presidency and had been barred from the contest, winning their endorsement.
He won the endorsement of Walter Magaya on the eve of the elections with the prophet directing those who had wanted to vote for him to instead cast their votes for Magwizi.
But, the real weapon for Magwizi is one move which did not make the headlines.
His decision to reach out to Gift Banda, who had been barred from contesting for the ZIFA vice-presidency, was a masterstroke.
The Bulawayo businessman had even tried to have the polls postponed.
Banda had amassed huge support among delegates from the Southern and Eastern Regions, two blocs which, because of their united front, now held the aces in terms of who would win the ZIFA elections.
Magwizi’s decision to bring Banda into his camp was a masterstroke.
And, when the Southern and Eastern Regions announced that their alliance would back him for the presidency, the ZIFA presidency had virtually been secured.
With the alliance flexing its big muscles, the two other regions — Northern and Central — knew they had to find compromises and, with Magwizi also popular within their ranks and among PSL clubs, the game was over.
Banda told H-Metro he decided to do what was best for the game.
“In the end I asked myself what was best for the game — was it about my personal interests in getting a VP post or the national interests in having the best man for the job as ZIFA president?” he said.
“I told myself that getting the best man to lead ZIFA was the best thing we could do and in Magwizi, after we spoke and he unveiled his vision, I ended up convinced that we had found the right man for that job.
“We need to be guided by what is best for our country and our football should open its arms to new people with fresh ideas instead of us just sticking with the people who have been in the game all this time.
“I felt this was the right time for us to embrace such a person and that is why I decided to throw my support behind Magwizi and also ensure that those who support me, among the Councillors, also saw it that way.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter