Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE High Court in Harare may have reserved judgment in the case in which Walter Magaya is seeking an injunction to stop the upcoming ZIFA elections, but the confirmed presidential candidates are unfazed with the courtroom proceedings.
Instead, the confirmed six presidential candidates — Nqobile Magwizi, Martin Kweza, Twine Phiri, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Marshal Gore and Philemon Machana — are on the campaign trail and working with January 25 as the date of the elections.
Magaya, a presidential aspirant, was left out of the final list released by the ZIFA Electoral Committee on December 23. Farai Jere, Benjani Mwaruwari and Temba Mliswa were also excluded.
Gift Banda, who was angling for the post of vice president, was also conspicuous by his absence from the final candidates’ list.
He has since joined forces with Mwaruwari to challenge their disqualification at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
CAS have reportedly indicated that they will make a determination by January 30.
However, Magaya was forced to wait another week before he knows his fate after High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi reserved judgment to Thursday this week.
But those who would have been his rivals, had he made the cut, seem unbothered about the goings-on at the courts.
Magwizi, Kweza, Phiri, Soma-Phiri, Gore and Machana have used the weekend before the watershed elections to canvass for support from ZIFA councillors.
The six candidates believe the elections will proceed in line with the road map set by FIFA’s Normalisation Committee and have not taken their feet off the pedal.
Kweza addressed the Northern Region constituency in Harare on Friday night before heading to Zvishavane to meet with the Eastern Region.
The Northern Region chairperson has been preaching the gospel of rebuilding.
Machana was also in Zvishavane to meet with Eastern Region councillors, while Gore was in Bulawayo on a similar mission with the Southern Region-based electorate.
Businessman Magwizi, whose charm offensive has been anchored in a transformative approach that could see ZIFA taking a commercial approach, is in the capital to meet with the Northern Region voters.
“A successful football association begins with strong governance, efficient structures and effective leadership, while establishing a recognisable and respected football brand.
“We need to build a strong ZIFA brand, build a unified and powerful brand identity that resonates with fans, stakeholders and global audiences and to launch targeted marketing campaigns to improve brand visibility and promote Zimbabwean football locally, regionally and globally,’’ says Magwizi.
Machana also sold his vision to Northern Region councillors yesterday morning before heading to Zvishavane.
“I will organise a national football symposium which will contribute to inclusivity and unification, and influence policy and serve as a precursor to the strategic plan formulation,’’ he said.
Phiri will also address councillors from Masvingo province today.
“So far so good, we are covering the ground.
“Today (yesterday) we didn’t have any presentation, but tomorrow (today) we are taking our campaign to Masvingo province,” Phiri’s campaign manager Paddington Japajapa said.
Some of the candidates vying for the ZIFA board member positions also had a busy weekend.
Former Warriors manager Sharif Mussa and ex-ZIFA communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela took their campaign trails to Bulawayo in the morning before moving to Zvishavane.
Brighton Ushendibaba, Norman Matemera, Lewis Muzhara, Edward Mutukwa, Bernard Gwarada, seasoned administrator Sweeney Mushonga and Gilbert Saika were also in Masvingo yesterday.
There are 37 candidates contesting for the six board member positions, including Alois Bunjira, Harrington Shereni, Terrence Malunga and Walter Musanhu.
Of the 37, only six candidates are women.
They are Kudzai Kadzombe, Alice Zeure, Beaular Msarah, Cecilia Gambe, ex-referee Sabela Maposa and Sibekikwe Ndlovu.
