Some of Zimbabwe's top football fans have thrown their weight behind PHD Ministries founder and Yadah FC owner prophet Walter Magaya as the ideal candidate Zifa president post.
Magaya is yet to officially throw his name in the hat for the hugely anticipated Zifa plebiscite which will be held anytime before February next year, with a number of people rumoured to be vying for the national football association's top post.
United States-based businessman Richard Mazodze, the owner of Division One club Wangu Mazodze, Marshal Gore, who lives in the United Kingdom and Simba Bhora FC director Brighton Ushendibaba, have all publicly expressed their desire to contest for the Zifa presidency.
Other potential candidates for the post include Magaya, former Premier Soccer League boss Twine Phiri, Caps United legend Alois Bunjira and veteran sports caster Charles Mabika.
Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters' Association (ZNSSA) president Mattias Kufandirimbwa believes Magaya is the most suitable candidate, considering his deep passion for football and what he has done for the development of the domestic game including building the Heart Stadium.
"If the reports that prophet Magaya wants the post are true, it's good for football," Kufandirimbwa said.
"Those are the kind of people we want to lead our football. In the event that he says he wants the post, as supporters, we will not hesitate to support his candidature because we believe he is the right man to resuscitate our game. What he has done for our football in the country so far is amazing. Building a stadium and owning a football club in this economy is not a joke. He also brought back Khama Billiat in the country using his own funds.
"If we are to be honest with ourselves, he is the best from those on the list. "Remember this is the same guy who sponsors all our national teams, including housing them at his hotel free of charge. He has over 100 kids at his Yadah football academy, who are staying at his hotel for free and he is paying school fees for all of them. "He had a junior tournament in Chitungwiza earlier this month where both girls and boys teams received various prizes including playing kits for all participating teams. Magaya needs everyone's support and not opposition."
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Bikita Minerals' number one football supporter Gogo Mesa of the Kasol to Bikita fame says she is also prepared to back Magaya.
"I was at Yadah last week when my team Bikita Minerals played Yadah. What I saw there is unbelievable. I didnt know we had such facilities in Zimbabwe. I have been to all the local stadiums in the country, and I can safely say the Heart Stadium is the best. And to imagine that it is being built using personal resources makes it even more remarkable," Gogo Mesa said.
"As supporters, our ideal Zifa leader is someone who is heavily involved in football like Magaya. We want someone who lives football, someone who has invested in football and wants to see football develop. If he can invest that much when he is not in Zifa, we have hope that he will do more if given a chance. If we can get someone like him, who has football at heart, then our football will be in good hands."
Warriors cheerleader Chris "Romario" Musekiwa wants the next Zifa to be someone who is respectable and a selfless leader who puts football interest above everything else.
"The next Zifa president should be someone with a proven administration record," said Romario who is also the ZNSSA organising secretary.
"We want someone who can bring value to the game by attracting the corporate world, including top international kit sponsors like Adidas, Nike and Puma. We want a person who will pay attention to junior development from schools to provincial level. Zimbabwe currently has world class footballers and with sound administration, we can regroup and fight for the World Cup 2026 ticket. We want a leader who will ensure that players' needs are well catered for, including paying their allowances on time. I think better days for Zimbabwe are coming."
A number of prominent football personalities, including former Warriors captains Tapuwa Kapini, Willard Katsande and former Warriors coach Baltemar Brito and national football team senior star player Tino Kadewere have all publicly endorsed Magaya's Zifa candidacy.
