Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Fungai Muderere
IT’S Cometh the Hour Cometh the Men and Women, as Zifa elections finally come!
These are the much-anticipated elections that once hanged in the balance amid prolonged High Court battles seeing the elections shrouded by uncertainty after Yadah founder Walter Magaya challenged his disqualification from contesting for the presidency.
Magaya was barred from participating after he did not comply with the requirement to submit an educational Ordinary Level certificate or equivalent qualification. So was outspoken Temba Mliswa who was challenging his disqualification from the presidential race after failing an integrity test conducted by the Zifa Electoral Committee recently. Mliswa was contesting the legitimacy of the election process and the validity of the new Zifa constitution, arguing it was amended by councillors whose terms had already expired, so it was null and void.
Mliswa, who wanted to contest for the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) presidency, has now thrown his support behind Nqobile Magwizi. This came after Mliswa withdrew his High Court case against Zifa on Tuesday and Magaya lost his case yesterday. Ex-Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari and former vice president Gift Banda also approached the international Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), contesting their disqualification from the elections. Mwaruwari was eyeing the presidency while Banda wanted to be vice president. The outcome of the CAS case is not yet out.
Without doubt, the drama has been snowballing, but it is now water under the bridge, and on Saturday focus will shift to Harare where Zifa councillors will go to the ballot to elect a new leadership in the country’s football mother body. According to the new constitution, the Zifa Executive Committee will have 11 members, the president and two deputies, one of which should be a woman as well as eight board members, six of that will be voted for, with the Premier Soccer League and the Women’s Premier Soccer League seconding a candidate each to make a total of 11 members.
Below are briefs of what some candidates said during the campaign period.
Nqobile Magwizi (president)
“My priority is to improve Zimbabwean football as a whole. I will not use the US$50,000 annual bonus from CAF for personal purposes. Some might consider it a small amount, but every bit counts. This money can improve the standards of grassroots and women’s football leagues.”
Joyce Kapota (vice president)
“Now is the time to address all the issues and injustices affecting Women Football in Zimbabwe. Equitable Football for Women involves removing barriers to their full participation, increasing opportunities, and creating a safe environment.”
Omega Sibanda (vice president)
“My unfinished business from previous executives fuels my resolve to pursue constitutionalism, ensuring that administrators operate without hindrance. My advocacy for transparency, accountability, fairness, inclusivity and financial stability across all Zifa structures is not mere rhetoric. It is a commitment to nurturing a culture of integrity within the organisation. I will ensure that we set up a vibrant Finance and Marketing committee and liaise at all levels with the government, corporate sector, Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC), and other key stakeholders, local and abroad, to create a Zifa brand that is attractive to financial partners.”
Sabelo Sibindi Maphosa (board member)
“Our officials (match officials) are not doing the right thing resulting in sponsors and teams suffering. We want an official who will maintain good football standards and rules and not be influenced by the brown envelope. Let us say the referees’ decision is final with good officiating. All this can be achieved if we start our curriculum at NAPH and NASH where we say let’s have qualified officials. Charity begins at home.”
Tavengwa Hara (board member)
“I have been in football administration for so long. My works are there for people to see and we move forward, I’m for legal normalisation, regularisation and restoration of football values. We also need to transform the game into a modern day sport in a collective way.”
Kennedy Ndebele (vice president)
“My key commitments include working closely with the president, providing support and being available at all times to fulfil roles assigned by the president or to stand in for him. I will remain informed about the organisation’s activities, including those of sub-committees, and will offer guidance to ensure robust strategic planning and implementation of policies. I am dedicated to principled and focused leadership, fostering a culture of prompt decision-making, communication and policy enforcement,”
Sibekiwe Ndlovu (board member)
“As a passionate advocate for women’s football, I believe it’s time for us to take our game to the next level. We need to create more opportunities for our female players, coaches and administrators to grow and succeed. This includes investing in better facilities, providing more resources for our national teams and promoting women’s football through effective marketing and branding.”
Peter Dube (vice president)
“I want to go into that office (Zifa vice president) and work for the benefit of the game. It seems as a football family we know what needs to be done, but we don’t want to do it. I have seen some breathtaking manifestos, meaning we know the obligations that we have. Zifa has a constitution and as a leader, I have to support the vision of the association and that of the president. Visionary leadership and maintaining good principles are what is needed. Violating rules, fighting each other and getting people suspended is not ideal”
Tizirayi Luphahla (board member)
“My vision is built on several key pillars. Firstly, I would love to see financial reform and transparency, ensuring that our resources are utilised efficiently and effectively. We will also prioritise grassroots development, providing opportunities for young talent to flourish and grow. This will be complemented by professional administration, ensuring that our football governing body is run with utmost professionalism and integrity.”
May the best men and women win.
