Zifa seeks to bar Ncube from Bosso elections

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA has barred Batsani Ncube, one of the five candidates seeking to replace Bosso secretary general, Andrew Tapela, from contesting the weekend elections because he is a player agent.The elections are set for Bulawayo on Sunday.

Ncube recorded a 95 percent pass in the examinations for the Player Agent’s Licence. Only Ncube and the other candidate who failed, wrote the examinations.

Fifa rules do not allow player agents to seek office, even as employees of Fifa, Confederations, national associations, Leagues or even at club level.

Article Six Part Two of the Player Agents Regulations reads; An applicant may not, under any circumstances, hold a position as an official, employee, etc at Fifa, a confederation, an association, a league, a club or any organisation connected with such organisations and entities.

“Ncube has not applied to be a player intermediary as required so he remains a player agent. Fifa rules are very clear that an agent must not contest for any election and if he wants to run for Bosso elections he should relinquish his post first,” said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.

Ncube however vehemently denied that he was a player agent although he confirmed that he did write and pass the player agents’ examinations.

“I’m not a player agent, yes, I sat for the examinations and passed, getting 95 percent but I did not pay the $5,000 annual fee for the licence. I’m not registered as an agent and the Zifa spokesperson should know these basic things,” said Ncube.

The youthful Ncube is contesting for the post together with Emmett Ndlovu, Donald Ndebele, Pilate Mahlangu and Njabulo Bango.

During the club’s annual general meeting on Sunday, members endorsed the Highlanders electoral court’s decision to bar former chairman Ernest Maphepha Sibanda from running for office again. The former Warriors manager was challenging Peter Dube.