mbulelo smpofu
Innocent Kurira, innocent.kurira@chronicle.co.zw
VETERAN football administrator, Vincent Pamire, has expressed concerns over the large number of candidates vying for posts in the new Zifa board, citing fears that “anti-football elements” may infiltrate the country’s number one sport.
Pamire’s concerns are rooted in his experience as a long-standing football administrator.
He argues that those who have contributed to the growth and development of football in Zimbabwe should not sit back and allow the sport to be hijacked by individuals with ulterior motives.
“As custodians of the game, we will not be quiet. Those who plant the tree are not the ones who eat the fruit.
“However, when those who are supposed to eat the fruit are now getting disturbed by baboons, there is a need for us to chase away the baboons,” Pamire said.
Pamire believes the high number of candidates is a sign that individuals with no genuine interest in football are seeking to take control.
“The reason we have so many candidates is that baboons now want to eat this fruit from a tree we planted. Therefore, we have to meet with all stakeholders from custodians of the game to councillors so that we set the record straight,” said Pamire.
Pamire’s concerns come as the Zifa Normalisation Committee prepares for elections, with nomination papers having been submitted and the electoral committee set to officially announce nominees on December 23.
For the presidency, Temba Mliswa, Walter Magaya, Nqobile Magwizi, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Twine Phiri, Farai Jere, Martin Kweza, Philemon Machana, Benjani Mwaruwari and Marshal Gore have filed their submissions.
The vice presidency has Gift Banda, Kennedy Ndebele, Omega Sibanda, James Takavada and Peter Dube.
Former Ngezi Platinum Stars chief executive officer, Nyasha Kadenge, former Zifa board member Mavis Gumbo, Loveness Mukura, former CAPS United administrator Joyce Kapota, Patience Mutumwa and Winnet Muropa intend to contest for the women’s vice presidency post.
Close to 40 candidates intend to fill the board members’ posts, among them 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
