Sinokubonga Nkala
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
ASPIRING Zifa presidential candidate Temba Mliswa has called on councillors to prioritise the nation’s interest over personal gain ahead of the January 25 elections.
Mliswa, is set to contest the presidency with seven other candidates, including Walter Magaya, Nqobile Magwizi, Twine Phiri, Farai Jere, Martin Kweza, Philemon Machana and Marshal Gore.
Mliswa took to social media to make calls for a clean election.
“The old football handbook has been tried and failed to work. It’s time for a fresh and unconventional system that brings progress and development. I have confidence in myself to steer this ship from precarious waters,” said Mliswa.
Mliswa challenged voters to put national interests first over everything else.
“The onus is on the Zifa councillors to be patriotic, mature and focused. That will involve making the right choice when in the ballot box irrespective of the trinkets received from many angling for the posts. Whatever result comes will be the responsibility of Zifa councillors.
“Mired in mediocrity and apathy among supporters, what our football needs is an actual revolutionary who turns things on their heads and brings a transformation in culture and conduct. This is no time or situation for stained bureaucrats. They will be swallowed.”
“In my engagements with Zifa councillors, the unanimous sentiment is that things are bad and have to change. The beauty is that the power to usher that change lies with the same individuals. It’s not an unambiguous mandate. Be the saviours or be villains again,” said Mliswa.
Mliswa’s sentiments come as the Zifa electoral committee begins vetting candidates ahead of the elections. The nomination papers were submitted last week and the electoral committee is expected to announce the nominees for the posts of president, vice-presidents and board members on December 23.
To be eligible to contest the presidency, candidates must be at least 40 years old, possess at least five Ordinary Level passes, including English Language, and have been ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe for the past two years.
Close to 40 candidates intend to fill the board members’ posts and among them are veteran football administrator Francis Zimunya, Chicken Inn secretary Tavengwa Hara, former Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela, ex-Warriors manager Shariff Musa and former Zifa Southern Region chairperson Andrew Tapela.
Other candidates for the posts are Sweeny Mushonga, Admore Chivero, Morgen Dube, former Harare deputy mayor Kudzai Kadzombe, Desmond Ali, Tizirayi Luphahla, former Warriors doctor Nicholas Munyonga, football team Gunners founder Cuthbert Chitima, Alois Bunjira, Masimba Chihowa, Sibekiwe Ndlovu, Cecilia Gambi, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Chris Mutungwazi, Harlington Shereni and Blessing Mpande among others.
-@innocentskizoe
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