THE Zifa Normalisation Committee is today expected to announce a list of candidates for the association’s executive committee elections pencilled for January 25.
For the first time in the history of Zifa, the association's elections have drawn massive interest with over 50 candidates filing their papers for the nine executive committee slots up for grabs.
The other two slots would be filled by a representative from the Women Football and the Premier Soccer League to make it 11 members of the executive committee, otherwise known as the Zifa board.
At least 40 people deposited their papers, seeking to fill in the six positions available for the board members positions.
Some of the big names in local football jostling for the executive committee positions are former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambga, Alois Bunjira, Walter Musanhu, Francis Zimunya, Harlington Shereni, Simba Ndoro, Cecilia Gambe, Modern Ngwenya, Tavengwa Hara, Colonel Edward Mutukwa, Morgen Dube, Brighton Ushendibaba, Cuthbert Chitima, Davison Muchena, Bheki Nyoni, Sweeney Mushonga, Joseph Musariri and Xolisani Gwesela.
Heavyweights including Kenny Ndebele, Omega Sibanda, Gift Banda, Peter Dube and James Takavada submitted papers for the vice-president position.
With the new Zifa constitution reserving a slot for the women vice-president position, the battle could be between Joice Kapota, Patience Mutumwa, Loveness Mukura, Winnet Muropa, Mavis Gumbo and Beaular Musara.
But all the attention is on the big one, the presidency, where former Zifa board member Philemon Machana, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Walter Magaya, outgoing Premier Soccer League chairperson Farai Jere, Zifa Northern Region Division One Soccer League chairperson Martin Kweza, former Warriors players Benjani Mwaruwari and Makwinji Soma Phiri, businessman Nqobile Magwizi, politician Temba Mliswa and UK-based Marshall Gore will be hoping to have passed the eligibility test to stand in next month's watershed election.
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Candidates will need to pass an eligibility test before getting to the final shortlist, which is expected to be announced by the Zifa Normalisation Committee chairperson Lincoln Mutasa today after weeks of vetting.
The buildup to today's big announcement, has had its fair share of drama after some individuals last week wrote a series of letters to the Zifa Normalisation Committee and the Zifa Ethics and Integrity Committee seeking the disqualification of Phiri, Mliswa, Magaya, Kweza, Machana and Magwizi.
Key issues in the vetting relate to candidates' experience in football administration.
The rules require one to have been in Zifa structures for at least five years and must have 5 O Levels.
It's not clear whether issues raised in the objection letters were considered by the two committees in making their list.
However, it appears Kweza has a mountain to climb after the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission last week said allegations made against the Zifa Northern Region Soccer League boss by one Terrence Pachirere were under investigation.
In his objection against Kweza’s candidature, Pachirere said a report of work related criminal abuse of office was lodged against Kweza at Zacc under reference HRC82/01/24. He also said another complaint had been filed against Kweza under reference RRB31/07/24.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority last week said it had not reported Kweza to Zacc. However, the anti-graft body said the cases are under investigation.
“I can confirm that we have got the cases. The cases are under investigation,” Zacc said.
There is also the issue of criminal conviction and it is up to the electoral committee to determine whether one can stand as a candidate on January 25.
