ONE of the favourites to land a spot in Zifa board in Saturday’s election, Sharif Mussa, believes he is one of the most qualified candidates, but it is up to the councillors to do the right thing.
Mussa has produced some of the best election promises and after going around the country in his campaign trail, he believes he did enough to convince the councillors that will vote in this election to establish a new Zifa executive committee.
The former Warriors team manager, who currently sits on Caf sub committees, did his best to convince the councillors that he should be part of the team that will transform Zimbabwean football after years in the doldrums.
“I went (around) all the country’s regions and met councillors to try and sell my vision. I can say I think I managed to convince them that I should be part of that board after presenting them with my ideas to transform the game,” he said.
“On merit, I think I qualify to be on that executive committee that can transform Zimbabwean football.
“I have been around for a long time in different capacities. I am well connected and I have been running successful businesses and we should run Zifa as a business.
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“I am confident that the councillors were convinced by my ideas and that they will want me on the board. But you never know what happens on the day of voting. However, I remain confident.”
In his election blueprint that he presented to the electorate, Mussa picks on issues some of the candidates have failed to tackle in their list of promises and he seems to have a clear plan of what Zifa can achieve in this tenure if he is elected into office.
Mussa wants to put an end to the association’s problems that include corruption, factionalism, lack of strategic framework, poor governance structures and lack of transparency, among many other difficulties, so that Zifa can ultimately operate as a viable business.
The former Warriors team manager, who has worked under various Zifa boards since 2003, is concerned about lack of constitutionalism, legacy debts, lack of corporate appeal, lack of compliance with statutes, dysfunctional structures, player welfare, failure to exploit global goodwill and lack of a development pathway.
And because of this, he believes he can help Zifa run as a business, contribute to the institution of credible audit process, re-engagement of sponsors, Sports and Recreation Commission, Caf, Cosafa and Fifa.
One of his main goals is to push for the re-establishment of the Zifa Cup, which has been abandoned for many years due to failure to attract sponsorship by previous boards.
He lists achievable goals in the first 100 days in office, which include, among many others, appointment of a vibrant marketing agency for Zifa, staff rationalisation for better efficiency and effectiveness, facilitation of Zifa (Pvt) Ltd as the investment vehicle, deploying local personnel at Cosafa, Caf and Fifa standing committees, launch of the FA Cup, opening of Zifa sports shops as well as the re-engagement of the corporate sector.
Mussa is one of 39 candidates vying for the six ordinary board member positions and he is one of the most qualified, having spent so much time in football.