Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT might have taken long in coming . . . seven years to be precise, but it is here.
The election to choose the next substantive ZIFA president since Felton Kamambo was voted into office in 2018, finally takes place at Harare’s Rainbow Towers hotel today.
An annual meeting of the ZIFA Congress will precede the hugely anticipated polls.
This election, which is like no other that ZIFA have held in the history of the association, will be a culmination of a long-drawn process that has involved many actors including world football governing body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, COSAFA, the Sports and Recreation Commission and the councillors.
Yet it took a decision that was as brave as it was timely by Gerald Mlotshwa’s SRC board to suspend the then ZIFA executive committee under Kamambo on November 16, 2021, to trigger the much-needed reform of the national game.
It was a courageous move aimed at finding lasting solutions to a ZIFA institution that has over the years suffered from having councillors and executive committees, who lacked both probity and integrity in the manner they administered Zimbabwe’s flagship sport.
That brave, however, attracted a FIFA suspension of Zimbabwe from international football for 18 months, a bullet the Sports Commission were willing to bite for as long as ZIFA were reformed for the better.
Although they would not publicly acknowledge it, FIFA had also become part of the ZIFA problem with Premier Soccer League Clubs in particular, expressing their displeasure with the world body’s head of development programmes in Africa Solomon Mudege at a heated meeting in Harare in 2023.
But when the dust settled amid a flurry of virtual and physical meetings and consultations, FIFA, the SRC and ZIFA found each other and a Memorandum of Understanding was eventually signed between the parties.
Upon lifting their sanctions on Zimbabwe, FIFA also appointed Lincoln Mutasa’s Normalisation Committee to administer ZIFA. By the end of today’s business Mutasa and his colleagues – Rosemary Mugadza and Nyasha Sanyamandwe – will hand over the reins to a new ZIFA president and his 11-member executive committee.
This unique election has not only attracted the highest number of candidates in the history of the association’s polls, but has grabbed attention beyond the corridors of ZIFA’s temporary home on 66 Bishop Gaul Avenue in Harare, reverberating in synagogues, sports bars, taxi ranks, schools and beyond the country’s borders.
It is a watershed election that will see the ZIFA Congress, also elect a woman vice president for the first time, one which will see the board expanded to 11 members and one that will see women having more than just one representative on the top table.
FIFA are placing as much importance on this election as are the Government, CAF, COSAFA and Congress.
It is against this background that Swiss-based Mudege is back in Harare, headlining a contingent of officials from FIFA, CAF and COSAFA.
That delegation includes, FIFA Senior Member Association Governance Services Manager Ahmed Harraz, Walter Nyamilandu Manda (FIFA consultant and former president of Football Association of Malawi), CAF Director Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna and Nadim Magdy, the legal Counsel at CAF.
LAST WORD
As all the election candidates wound up their frenzied campaigns trails, Zimpapers Sports Hub spoke to the presidential candidates on their final message to the electorate:
NQOBILE MAGWIZI
“Zimbabwean football stands at the threshold of a new era, and together, we have the opportunity to restore its lost glory and create a legacy of excellence. As we approach the ZIFA elections on 25 January 2025, my message to you the electorate and the nation – is one of unity, progress, and unwavering commitment to the beautiful game.
“My journey in football speaks for itself. From facilitating the country’s largest football sponsorships to empowering players, coaches, and administrators, to football infrastructure development, my vision has always been clear: to build a professional, sustainable, and globally competitive football ecosystem. But this mission is not mine alone – it is ours to achieve together.
The foundation of my campaign lies in five transformative pillars: Building a Strong Institution; Build Strong Partnerships; Commercialization; Infrastructure & Technology; and Technical Prowess. These are not just promises, but actionable commitments backed by my track record of attaining my goals. As we transition from isolation to reintegration with FIFA, CAF and COSAFA, I am prepared to lead with integrity, vision, and the experience needed to navigate this critical phase.
To the ZIFA Councillors, I assure you that your voices and roles will remain central. I will work tirelessly to empower you, extend your term to align with the new board, and ensure that resources are equitably distributed to uplift your constituencies.
To the people of Zimbabwe, I pledge to restore your pride in our national teams, build CAF-approved stadia, and reignite the passion for football across every corner of our nation.
Together, we can chart a new course for Zimbabwean football -one defined by action, not words; unity, not division; and success, not mediocrity. Let us choose progress. Let us choose victory.
MARTIN KWEZA
“As I have been preaching during our interface meetings, my vision is to implement a comprehensive transformation of Zimbabwean football by addressing systemic challenges, building inclusive opportunities, and promoting professionalism and integrity.
“My leadership will be anchored on Unity and Progress Through Football with the bid being to ensure our country is turned into a world-class footballing nation through excellence, and sustainable growth across all levels of the game.
“I will address the systemic challenges, build inclusive opportunities, and promote professionalism and integrity.
“I have been around long enough to understand the ecosystem and I am ready to fight harder for opportunities for all, irrespective of gender, religion, or background.
“Life starts from infancy thus I will have a robust junior football structure that cascades to all provinces and is run by the ZIFA Technical Director through solid partnerships with NAPH and NASH which will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our game.
“Our women’s teams have made us proud in recent years, including their appearance at the Olympics thus it is crucial that we continue to support women’s football by providing the necessary resources to encourage greater participation among young girls and women across Zimbabwe.
“Through my participation in the crafting of the existing ZIFA constitution, I played a pivotal role in pushing for more women representation in Congress from a mere four women sitting in council to the current 21. I have overseen the transformation of the Northern Region into a sustainable and vibrant league and working with a dedicated executive committee and you the esteemed members of Congress, I believe have the capacity to transform that success story to the national association level.
MARSHALL GORE
“As we stand on the brink of a transformative moment for Zimbabwean football, I urge you to reflect on the power you hold to shape a brighter future for our game. This election is not merely a choice of leadership – it is a decision to reclaim the glory of our football, empower our youth, and leave a legacy of excellence for generations to come.
“For over three decades, I have devoted my life to football development and administration at both grassroots and professional levels. My journey has been defined by unwavering passion, proven commitment, and tangible results.
“From nurturing young talent in local communities to advocating for Zimbabwean players on the global stage, my vision has always been clear: to restore our football’s lost glory and unite the nation through the beautiful game.
“My plan includes creating grassroots football academies in every province, with a target of training 500 youth coaches by 2027 and engaging over 50 000 young players annually.
PHILEMON MACHANA
“Football is at crossroads. We have reached a Damascus moment where decisions have to be made.
“I urge councillors to make purely football decisions without being informed by anything else, but football’s interest in the survival of our game and the sustainability of our game and its growth.
“I come before councillors as a candidate that is experienced in the administration of the game. Mistakes may have been made in the past and I take full ownership of those, I apologise for them, but above all I consider that I have learned from them.
“I have become a better person, even in the previous boards. I know the dos and don’ts now, I know what football needs, I have got a perfect diagnosis of what our football has been suffering from, therefore the cure that I have can only be the correct cure.
“I am not coming to guess, I am coming to provide practical, perfect solutions that can take our football forward.
“I am coming to unite all football stakeholders of Zimbabwe towards a common vision, a vision for growth, a vision for development in an environment where equity across gender, equity across region, equity across age groups shall be observed’’.
MAKWINJI SOMA-PHIRI
“As I stand before you today, I’m reminded of my incredible journey. From dusty childhood pitches to Zimbabwean football’s pinnacle, I’ve lived and breathed the beautiful game.
“I’m not just a candidate – I am a footballer, a son of Zimbabwe, and a champion for change.
“Some may say I am inexperienced, but I say it’s time for a new era. Let footballers run their own game. We’ve been on the sidelines for too long, watching others make decisions that impact our lives and careers.
“I’ve walked the walk, experiencing highs and lows, triumphs and setbacks. I’ve come out stronger, more determined, and driven to make a difference.
“My football history is a testament to my character, perseverance, and love for the game. I’ve played with legends, learned from icons, and inspired generations. Now, I’m ready to take on the biggest challenge: leading Zimbabwean football into a brighter future.
“I have a vision of empowering players, developing grassroots football and restoring Zimbabwe’s pride internationally. I’ll listen, learn, and work tirelessly to ensure every Zimbabwean footballer succeeds’’.
TWINE PHIRI
“I am a businessman with a successful career in football administration. I aim to sanitise, revitalise, and elevate Zimbabwean football by restoring integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
“My key priorities include:
Rebuilding Trust: Implementing good governance, enhancing financial oversight, and promoting ethical practices.
Upgrading Infrastructure: Developing modern football facilities, improving youth development pitches, and enhancing medical facilities.
Fair Treatment and Development: Ensuring fair treatment and robust development opportunities for all players and coaches.
Engaging and Exciting Fans: Creating a vibrant football culture that engages and excites fans.
“I plan to achieve these goals through various initiatives such as strengthening governance, implementing stringent policies to eliminate misconduct.
Upgrading infrastructure: Modernising existing facilities and building new stadiums.
Investing in grassroots football: Nurturing young talent through programs in schools and communities.
Improving player welfare: Ensuring fair wages, medical care, and career development opportunities for players.
Enhancing marketing and sponsorship: Implementing effective marketing strategies and creating appealing sponsorship packages.
Fan engagement: Creating initiatives to engage fans and make them active participants in the football community.
With me as the ZIFA president, I will champion stakeholder collaborations and consultations, pilot programmes, and progress monitoring to ensure the success of my above initiatives’’.
