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Innocent Kurira, innocent.kurira@chronicle.co.zw
ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairperson Lincoln Mutasa has confirmed that the elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for January 25 will go ahead as planned, despite reports suggesting the elections might be postponed. This comes after Benjani Mwaruwari’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging his disqualification from the elections was successful.
However, Mutasa clarified that the election has not been deferred despite Mwaruwari’s success and they are still preparing for the AGM as planned.
Speaking to Saturday Chronicle, Mutasa acknowledged receiving communication from CAS regarding the appeals from Mwaruwari and Gift Banda, but emphasised that this does not mean the election is in doubt. He also mentioned that they still need to respond to CAS.
“The election has not been cancelled. Maybe there is a misinterpretation of how this whole process goes. We have received communication from CAS, yes, but that does not mean the election is cancelled.
We still also need to respond to CAS as well. We are aware of the cases at CAS and locally but preparations for the AGM are going on as planned.
“It’s campaign season, maybe these rumours are meant to have other candidates relaxing at a crucial stage,” said Mutasa
The upcoming elections have been marred by controversy, with several candidates being barred from participating. These include former Zifa interim president Gift Banda and former Warriors skipper Mwaruwari, who both took their cases to CAS.
On the other hand, candidates who sailed past the vetting process include businessman Nqobile Magwizi, former PSL chairman and ex-Caps United owner Twine Phiri, former Zifa board member Philemon Machana, Zifa Northern Region chairman Martin Kweza, former player Makwinji Soma-Phiri, and Marshal Gore.
Outgoing Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Farai Jere failed the integrity test but accepted the outcome, stating that football should be the ultimate winner. Mavis Gumbo, Patience Mutumwa, Winnet Murota, Joyce Kapota, Loveness Mukura, Omega Sibanda, Peter Dube, and Kennedy Ndebele are some of the candidates contesting for the vice-president’s post.
Several candidates are running for the Zifa board member post, including veteran administrator Chris Mtungwazi, former Warriors’ manager Sharrif Musa, Alois Bunjira, Highlanders secretary Morgen Dube, former Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela, former Warriors’ coach Sunday Chidzambga, ex-Zifa Southern Region chairperson Andrew Tapela, Tizirayi Luphahla, and women’s football administrator Sibekiwe Ndlovu. @innocentskizoe
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