Zifa councillors await fate in upcoming AGM

Zifa councillors will know their fate next month when the national association holds its first extraordinary general meeting.

Nqobile Magwizi took over the reins at the national association on 25 January after almost 18 months of Zifa Normalisation Committee management.

Zifa was run by a normalisation committee from 11 July 2023, following the termination of Gift Banda’s term as interim president, which came a year after he took over from Felton Kamambo, who was dismissed by Zifa councillors.

The 25 January elections resulted in a new board, with nine members voted into office, joining the Premier Soccer League boss (who has yet to be voted in) and representatives from Women’s Soccer.

Yesterday afternoon, Zifa announced that the fate of the councillors would be determined at the extraordinary meeting, the exact date of which will be announced soon.

“Zifa will hold an annual general meeting in March. The meeting will determine whether the councillors stay or if elections are held. At this time, I cannot provide the exact date of the meeting as Zifa is yet to decide,” said Zifa in a statement yesterday afternoon.

The councillors’ terms expired in 2022, and the suspension of Zifa by FIFA led to an awkward situation where the terms of office-bearers ran out of time.

Because FIFA insisted on holding the board elections first to exit its involvement with the Zifa Normalisation Committee and allow Zimbabwean football to be managed autonomously, elections proceeded.

However, there is now a need to normalise the entire situation regarding Zimbabwe football and establish a legitimate Assembly.

The extraordinary general meeting may face some challenges. None of the sitting councillors would be happy to feel used and discarded by the new administration, and if a vote is allowed, it is unlikely that they will vote in favour of elections.

They are not guaranteed a return to the Zifa structures, as some constituencies have been advocating for fresh elections.

Only the Assembly can grant an extension to the councillors’ terms.

The arrival of Magwizi and his team has given Zimbabwean football hope for better times.

Two months ago, Zifa legal officer Nyasha Samanyandwe told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the councillors’ future depends on the new dispensation.