Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S the big kick-off for Zimbabwe football.
The game has not been the same for exactly 681 days in this country.
It has been under FIFA administration for the past 209 days.
Before that, the country endured some cold outside the warmth of FIFA for a good 471 days following an international ban effected by the world football overseer body on February 24, 2022.
The game was shrouded in uncertainty 100 days prior to that with the Government playing some key roles to keep it afloat including funding for the Warriors participation in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January 2022.
But finally, the country will revert to the normal way of doing business when 78 councillors gather to elect the new ZIFA board in Harare this afternoon.
The much-anticipated elections will usher in a new dispensation of president, his two deputies, one of which must be a woman, at the very least, and six ordinary executive members.
The more than two years period with which the country’s game was crying for leadership seems to have triggered passionate stakeholders to pick up the torch and jump to the driving seat.
It’s the biggest ZIFA election by numbers since 1980 and the most significant given the weight it carries in terms of changing the local football panorama altogether.
Initially, 10 candidates threw their names into the hat to lead the incoming convoy but six are on the ballot for today’s plebiscite.
Farai Jere, Benjani Mwaruwari, Temba Mliswa and Walter Magaya were washed away by the eligibility tide leaving Twine Phiri, Phillemon Machana, Martin Kweza, Nqobile Magwizi, Makwinji Soma-Phiri and Marshal Gore to square off for the right to take the ZIFA chair.
There have been dramatic scenes here and there where these hopefuls were canvassing for votes with others dishing out gifts including cash to buy the selectors’ loyalty.
There have been reports of intimidation where some councillors allege to have been called by faceless characters where they were allegedly instructed to go for certain candidates.
Whether that is true or not, the day of reckoning is finally here.
In reality there is no clear favourite for the highest post although there have been popularity contests running across social media platforms with the very candidates sponsoring those.
But the final tone lies with the voting few, whose decisions will shape the game and its direction for the next four years.
Machana and Kweza are being touted as the front-runners if the voters go for those with institutional memory, while Twine Phiri, with his sound football administration record can be the dark horse.
However, Magwizi can spring up and nail it given his financial contribution to the game with Soma-Phiri also standing a decent chance given he is a former player who the selectors could go for if they opt to give a chance to someone who knows the terrain in terms of playing the game.
Gore isn’t an outright race outsider as his key contributions with his Foreign Legion emphasis can help him through.
Given the close permutations, the election for the president could as well go for a re-run if none of the six can get the required 50+1 vote for them to be declared the outright winner.
The close contest could not be limited to the president’s race as the contest for the second-in-command post could also be closely-fought.
Reputable football stakeholders Loveness Mukura, Joyce Kapota, Kennedy Ndebele, Mavis Gumbo, Patience Mutumwa, Winnet Murota, Peter Dube, James Takavada, Francis Nyamutsamba, James Takavada and Omega Sibanda will battle it out for the available two slots.
There is an even bigger field for those vying for the six ordinary member posts where 39 candidates are lining up to squeeze in.
They include Tafadzwa Benza, Edward Mutukwa, Sweeny Mushonga, Gilbert Saika, Thomas Marambanyika, Nick Munyonga, Shariff Mussa, Tavengwa Hara, Xolisani Gwesela, Lewis Muzhara, Jerrymike Gumbo. Modern Ngwenya and Sabelo Maphosa.
Walter Musanhu, Kudzai Kadzombe, Norman Matemera, Cecilia Gambe, Vincent Chawonza, Admore Chivero, Tizirayi Luphahla, Sibekikwe Ndlovu, Alice Zeure, Morgen Dube, Terrence Malunga, Harlington Shereni, Alois Bunjira, Bekhimpilo Nyoni, Beaullar Musara and Brighton Ushendibaba are the other contestants.
