ENTREPRENEUR Gilbert Muponda yesterday withdrew his candidature for Zifa’s top post saying he is throwing his weight behind business executive Nqobile Magwizi “who is most qualified” to revive local football.
Nominations for Zifa posts close today.
Elections will be held on January 25 next year. Before that, candidates will go through a vetting process and eligible ones will be announced on December 23.
Muponda’s withdrawal means eight candidates are linked to the Zifa presidency. These are Prophet Walter Magaya, Magwizi, Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairperson Farai Jere, politician Temba Mliswa, Zifa Northern Region chairperson Martin Kweza, former PSL boss Twine Phiri, former Zifa board member Philemon Machana and UK-based Marshal Gore.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Muponda said he was endorsing Magwizi as “the most qualified and deserving candidate who can revive our game”.
“Nqobile Magwizi is qualified, experienced and has a clean proven record of mobilising resources for the game. He is the most deserving candidate who possesses the necessary skills and expertise required to transform Zimbabwean football,” he said.
“I sincerely believe we share the same vision, strategy and skills to make our game great again and as such I withdraw with full confidence that Nqobile Magwizi will transform the game when given the opportunity to lead Zifa.”
Two posts are open for the Zifa vice-presidency with one reserved for women.
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Former Zifa vice-presidents Omega Sibanda and Gift Banda were reportedly after that post with latter’s chances in ruins after he was arrested last week for allegedly forging an Ordinary Level certificate.
One is required to have passed at least five Ordinary levels to be allowed to contest for the post of president or deputy.
It is yet to be established if Banda has tendered his papers.
Other names for the vice-presidency in the men’s quota are Highlanders board member Peter Dube, former Bosso vice-chairperson Modern Ngwenya and PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele.
In the women’s section, the candidates are former Ngezi Platinum Stars chief executive officer Nyasha Kadenge, former Zifa board member Mavis Gumbo, Loveness Mukura, ex-Caps United administrator Joyce Kapota, Patience Mutumwa and Winnet Muropa.
Quite a number are interested in the six board members posts and these are veteran administrator Francis Zimunya, former Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa, ex-Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela, Northern Region Division One Soccer League vice-chairperson Sweeney Mushonga, former Zifa Southern Region chairperson Andrew Tapela, Kudzai Kadzombe, Thomas Marambanyika, Admore Chivero, Morgen “Gaza” Dube and Desmond Ali.
The others are Chicken Inn secretary Tavengwa Hara, Zifa Southern Region board member Tizirayi Lupahla, former Warriors team doctor Nicholas Munyonga, Tinashe Malunga, Davison Muchena, Masimba Chihowa of Manica Diamonds and Cuthbert Chitima among others.
Some of the prerequisites include five years of football administration experience as well as five Ordinary Level passes.
Alois Bunjira, who was also said to be running for the presidency, is now reportedly vying for the board member’s post.
