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Midlands Correspondent
TWENTY-four people will vote in the Zifa Central Region chairmanship elections that will be held at Bata Club in Gweru on Sunday.
Three candidates are vying for the Central Soccer League top post, which fell vacant following the election of Felton Kamambo to the Zifa board.
Inaugural CSL chairman Patrick Hokonya will square off with the region’s board member for administration Stanley Chapeta and Whawha Football Club chairperson Musa Ntonga are vying for the position.
The Electoral College comprises the 18 CSL clubs and three voters from the Zifa Midlands’ executive committee, while the other three votes will come from the Zifa Matabeleland South executive committee.
Hokonya, who was finalising his campaign in Gweru ahead of the campaign, is confident of landing the top post on Sunday.
“People have warmed up to my manifesto and I have done a lot of groundwork. Football stakeholders and the electorate are convinced that I stand for the development and professionalisation of football in the region,” said Hokonya.
“I have no doubt in my mind that come Sunday I will bounce back and be chairman, so that I can finish all the projects that I had initiated before my unceremonious departure.”
Chapeta, who will take his campaign trail back to Gwanda today, was equally confident of victory.
“To us victory is certain and we have demonstrated that we are capable of bringing on board sponsorship. We gave the clubs balls and training equipment courtesy of the sponsor and it is enough testimony that when I am ushered into office, the region will be branded,” said Chapeta.
The only female candidate in the race Ntonga could not be reached for comment, but her manifesto is premised on the catch phrase “restoration of football” and likens herself to the biblical Moses, who will deliver football from the doldrums.
“As a Christian, I am reminded of the children of Israel who were suffering under Pharaoh until Moses was tasked by God to save them. I believe I can be the Moses who can take the (Zifa) Central Region to greater heights by bringing football to them. (Kugadzirisa bhora, Ukuyoqhondisa),” reads part of her manifesto.
Electoral College for CSL
Isheanesu Burombo (Todal Mining), Kingstone Mutara (Gweru United), Itai Matangira (Sable Chemicals), Ranganai Gumbo (ZETDC Southern Region), Chrispen Zingwena (Habane Sharks), Brian Chishanga (Zifa Midlands), George Sibangani (Zifa Midlands), Pervious Mathe (Zifa Midlands), Knowledge Tazvivinga (Chrome Stars), Tinomuda Mzikamwi (MSU), Musa Ntonga (Whawha), Tafadzwa Samushonga (ZPC Munyati), Amos Mbengare (Vumbachikwe), Khotso Malumeja (Tongogara), Russell Majuta (ZRP Beitbridge), Nkosilathi Ncube (Zifa Mat South), Stephen Mhondoro (Zifa Mat South), Dumisani Banda (Zifa Mat South), Dumisani Sisale (FC Platinum U19), Itai Munyanyi (Ivan Hoe), Dumisani Sibanda (Nkayi United), Sichinga Sichinga (Jessie Mine), Brighton Ngwenya (Blanket Mine), Pithias Shoko (Shabanie Mine)
derick.khumalo