ZIFA election period begins

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIFA’s election period, often dubbed “the mad season”, officially got underway last Friday with the association releasing the much-awaited nomination forms and sending aspiring candidates into the trenches as they seek the endorsement of members.

But the opening day of the nomination court was not without drama amid revelations that there is a spirited legal bid to stop Northern Region Soccer League chairman Martin Kweza’ aspiration as a ZIFA presidential candidate.

Kweza has come under attack from a member of the public, who is seeking a High Court order in Harare to declare his chairmanship of the NRSL a nullity. The complainant Maxwell Mabuto argues that he is a soccer fan, who resides within the Northern Region and his interest in football gives him the locus standi to question Kweza, the region, and ZIFA over his leadership of the second-tier league.

He claims that Kweza was imposed as NRSL chairman following the death of incumbent Willard Manyengavana in August 2019.

Mabuto also contends that ZIFA, the third respondent should not have accepted Kweza’s chairmanship. “I am advised and verily believe that to succeed in an application of this nature, I must demonstrate that I have interest in existing, future, or contingent right or obligation and that I have a direct and substantial interest in the subject matter of the suit,” Mabuto said.

“I am an avid fan and supporter of the game of football and I am domiciled within the second respondent’s (NRSL) area of operation.

“I desire that the order and rule of law prevail in the administration of football in the said area and I am aggrieved by how the first respondent has ascended to the office of the second respondent which I consider to be unlawful and invalid. “It is my submission therefore that I have a real substantial interest in the subject matter of the suit.

“For the reasons that follow hereunder, it is submitted that the appointment of the first respondent as chairman of the second respondent was illegal and was therefore a nullity and of no force or effect,” added Mabuto.

He feels that NRSL flouted ZIFA statutes in the manner that Kweza became substantive chairman. “Third respondent (ZIFA’s) statutes prevail over the operations and activities of the second respondent and other bodies affiliated to it. “Every football body in Zimbabwe including the second respondent is enjoined to abide by the regulations, directions, and principles set out in the third respondent’s statutes and the stakeholders of FIFA, CAF, and COSAFA.