Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
A fierce contest has gripped the Zifa Southern Region as four ambitious candidates chase the chairmanship ahead of this weekend’s long awaited elections. The vote will close a turbulent chapter marked by leadership gaps, speculation and stalled structures across Zimbabwean football.
Zifa’s leadership terms expired in 2023 and a normalisation committee was installed to stabilise operations. Its early months were spent rebuilding key pillars such as finance and technical departments, a process completed by July last year.
That phase ended with the departure of Sikhumbuzo Ndebele and Charity Malaba, leaving Lincoln Mutasa’s team to focus on one major task. They were instructed to deliver elections for the association’s leadership using a rare top to bottom approach recommended by Fifa.
The national executive poll in January brought Nqobile Magwizi into office. The final stretch will see elections for 36 positions across all regions this weekend, completing the rebuilding of a new Zifa Assembly under Magwizi’s leadership.
The Southern Region race has drawn four strong contenders. Zenzo Moyo, incumbent Lloyd Munhanga, Tatenda Mtungwazi and Tawanda Tali are all pushing to take charge of one of the most influential regions in Zimbabwean football.
Moyo, a former Highlanders striker and Soccer Star of the Year, enters the contest with deep regional roots.
Fresh from being honoured by Paphos of Cyprus, he carries experience from his time as Bosso manager and as Bulawayo City vice chairman. He has spent years touring Division One centres and rural communities in Matabeleland North, supporting grassroots football and promising to drive the change many stakeholders believe is overdue.
Munhanga is seeking a fresh mandate after assuming office during a boardroom takeover that ousted Andrew Tapela. His leadership has delivered two smooth seasons of the league programme and some corporate traction for the region. His challenge will be addressing concerns raised over the admission of clubs that did not exist.
Integrity issues have become a key talking point as voters weigh their options and hopes for a better football terrain devoid of unnecessary controversies. He is a former player and Zimbabwe Saints chairman.
Tali remains an unfamiliar figure to many in mainstream football circles, though his Bulawayo Warriors side is regarded as one of the best run teams in the Southern Region. He balances his time between Bulawayo and South Africa where he runs several businesses.
Mtungwazi brings long service and strong administrative ties. He began as a promising player at Mzilikazi before taking charge of the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association which ran two leagues and the historic Townshend and Butcher Trophy. Bafa operated as the only functional Area Zone League during his tenure. His pitch leans on business networks, sponsorship prospects and a commitment to inclusive football structures.
The vice chairman’s race has its own intensity. The sitting board member, Tafadzwa Mutowa, a favourite among Division One clubs, faces competition from Elton Sinyosi and Martin Mhlanga.
Battle lines are equally sharp in the race for board member posts. Former normalisation committee member Ndebele, sitting finance board member Tizirayi Luphahla, fan favourite Prince Nyoni of Nkayi United, Lovemore Kuvheya and newcomer Tatenda Ncube are all seeking one of the four available slots.
ELECTION DETAILS
Southern Region
Men’s Regional Division One League
Women’s Regional Division One League
Men’s Provincial League Bulawayo
Men’s Provincial League Matabeleland North
Area Zone
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 09:00hrs
Venue: Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel
Central Region
Men’s Regional Division One League
Women’s Regional Division One League
Men’s Provincial League Midlands
Men’s Provincial League Matabeleland South
Area Zone
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Time: 09:00hrs
Venue: Mpumalanga Lodge, Gweru
