Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zifa Southern Region fortunes must change.
THIS is the apt feeling be new regional boss Chris Mutungwazi who romped to victory in elections held in Bulawayo yesterday.
He beat challengers Lloyd Munhanga, Tawanda Tali and Zenzo Moyo for the region’s hot seat.
Munhanga had held fort since 2023 in an interim basis but could not get the nod for a substantive role.
Speaking hours after his victory, Mutungwazi who had previously held posts at Bulawayo Amateur Football and Bulawayo Province, said it was an election without winners or losers. He said men had put their candidature in order to serve football.
“The election is done and dusted, there are no winners and losers. What has emerged was the desire from capable individuals to lead our region, we hope going forward we will work as a team, so that our becomes the biggest beneficiary,” said Mutungwazi.
He said of wary is the fact that the region has lost its lustre with few teams in the Premiership. That he said called for more work to be done so that the Southern Region rediscovers itself as a powerhouse,” said Mutungwazi.
The Region now has Bulawayo Chiefs, Chicken Inn and Highlanders in the Premiership unlike in the past when there were as many as five teams playing in the elite division.
Every promoted team from the region has emerged as a favourite for relegation in the Premiership.
It is the stagnancy which Mutungwazi wants to see arrested.
Another area to be attended is sponsorship which he pledged they would work as an administration to try and secure.
“We have lost our lustre in Zimbabwe’s soccer scenario. There is work to be done,” said Mutungwazi.
On his way to victory, he polled nine votes, Moyo (4), Munhanga (1) and Tali (2).
As had been expected, Tafadzwa Mutowa who has been assisting Division One teams in Victoria Falls regardless of whether he is in office or not polled 13 votes, with Martin Mhlanga getting three and Elton Sinyosi of Talen Vision did not get a single one.
Tizirayi Kuphahla, Lovemore Kuvheya, Prince Nyoni and Tatenda Ncube are the board members with former Zifa Normalisation Committee member Sikhumbuzo Ndebele failing to garner enough votes.
