THE highly-anticipated Zifa elections are finally here.
For weeks, the elections have faced hurdles with court challenges threatening the smooth flow of the process.
But after navigating the snags, a new Zifa board will finally be ushered in by day end.
No Zifa election has hogged so much limelight in the past.
One key reason being the Fifa ban imposed on Zimbabwe for two years after friction between the Zifa board and the government.
Those two years in the wilderness were the most difficult for football stakeholders.
Finally, this is the chance to start on a fresh page.
Six candidates will be vying for the top post of Zifa president, with Twine Phiri, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Marshall Gore, Martin Kweza, Ngobile Magwizi and Philemon Machana all trying to outwit each other.
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Two of the heavyweights, former Premier Soccer League chairman Farai Jere and Yadah Stars owner Walter Magaya, both failed the eligibility test as did Benjani Mwaruwari and Temba Mliswa.
The six candidates on the ballot have been gallivanting around the country trying their best to persuade the 78 councillors who will vote.
So many closed-door meetings have been held and so many promises have been made before this group of people and today, they make their decision.
NewsDay Sport assesses the chances of the candidates vying to the post of president based on promises and popularity.
Is it Twine’s time?
Twine Phiri has promised to revolutionarise the game, and he points to a proud track record of attracting nine big corporates who in various ways sponsored the PSL during his tenure as chairman.
In 16 years as Caps United president, his team won a haul of 12 trophies, which represents a lot of success.
Phiri is offering sponsorship and on-field success for the national teams.
He also promises to lay the ground work with grassroots development.
Having been successful at PSL level, he believes he is the right person to climb to the top office.
Former Zifa president Leo Mugabe vouched for him in an article carried by NewsDay Sport yesterday, saying the Zifa top post needs someone that has been in national leadership before, not just a club or academy.
In that regard, Phiri presents a strong case to be Zifa president.
Can Makwinji soar to the top?
Makwinji Soma-Phiri has been media shy.
However, he has made time to do his homework with the councilors.
He represents a constituency of former footballers, who believe that ex-players deserve to be in leadership roles.
The former Highlanders and Dynamos striker is a likeable easy-going character.
He was prolific in his playing days and this looks like a tough one to score.
Is Gore ready to Marshall Zifa?
Marshall Gore has been working on his campaign for over a year now, meeting people, attending Warriors matches and he has been on the road over the last few weeks trying to make his final push.
One of the key areas of his campaign has been the welfare of players, coaches, administrators and referees welfare.
Where he promises healthcare and funeral cover, he also pledges to set up pension funds for these groups.
He claims to have opened doors for the Britis- born players of Zimbabwean heritage to come and play for the Warriors.
He too has made worthy promises, including good corporate governance, professionalise the leagues as well as brining international competitiveness.
He is so professional he has even created a website for his campaign, where everything looks smart and well thought-out.
While he has worked hard for this one over the years, this is likely to prove a hard one to win this time around.
However, elections do deliver surprises and this could be one of them.
Kweza makes compelling case
Northern Region Division One Soccer League chairman Martin Kweza has been around for a long time.
Under his watch, the league was transformed to be one of the most exciting and rewarding after they attracted a lot of sponsorship.
With the success in the league, he probably charmed those councillors from his region, but he might have hit the bull’s eye by promising equal allowances for men and women in the national teams.
With that promise alone, he might have women’s football councillors in his corner.
He, like everyone else, talks up infrastructure development and pledges grassroots development as well as establishing a modern Zifa Centre of Excellence.
Kweza is certainly one of the frontrunners in this election since he has a proud record of success and has been in leadership position.
Will Machana’s success story continue?
Philemon Machana is hoping to return to the Zifa executive committee, where he was a member under the leadership of Philip Chiyangwa and then Felton Kamambo.
During the period, the Warriors qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2017, 2019 and 2021.
They also expunged Zifa’s debt which was over US$10 million.
Having founded women’s side Conduit and rising to the Zifa board, he has gone through the steps.
He is back, this time aiming for the top.
He knows the Zifa politics very well and also presents a clear strategy of growth over the next 15 years.
He is one who has been going about his business quietly.
He was part of the board dismissed by the Sports and Recreation Commission, but he is back and bold about taking over the running of the game.
And those who know how the politics in Zifa works would not be surprised if he finishes triumphant today.
Can Sakunda fuel Magwizi to the top?
Like Kweza, Nqobile Magwizi has emerged as one of the main competitors of the post of president.
He has not been actively involved in football that much, even though his CV says he was a board member at Banket United, which has been a subject of debate.
He presents an impressive CV academic wise.
He is a finance practitioner, something that might be useful to an organisation always associated with funds mismanagement.
Magwizi has been associated with securing sponsorship for Dynamos and Highlanders from Sakunda, where he is an employee.
He also facilitated the sponsorship of bucket seats for the National Sports Stadium by the same company.
If he wins this election, the councilors will be voting for someone that can bring sponsorship to the game.
Candidates
Presidency: Marshall Gore, Philemon Machana, Nqobile Magwizi, Martin Kweza, Twine Phiri, Makwinji Soma-Phiri
Vice-presidency: Mavis Gumbo, Patience Mutumwa, Winnet Murota, Joyce Kapota, Loveness Mukura, Omega Sibanda, Peter Dube, Kennedy Ndebele, Francis Nyamutsamba, Simbarashe J Takava
Committee members: Bernard Gwarada, Gilbert Saika, Sharif Mussa Umerjee, Thomas Marambanyika, Nicholas Munyonga, Tavengwa Hara, Xolisani Gwesela, Bhekhimpilo Nyoni, Vincent Chawonza, Sween Mushonga, Lewis Muzhara, Morden Ngwenya, Jerrymike Gumbo, Alice Zeure, Alois Bunjira, Morgen Dube, Sabela Maposa, Edward Mutukwa, Tizirayi Luphahla, Sibekikwe Ndlovu, Tafadzwa Benza, Cecilia Gambwe, Kudzai Kadzombe, Sunday Chidzambwa, Walter Musanhu, Desmond Ali, Simbarashe Ndoro, Davison Muchena, Brighton Ushendibaba, Edmore Chivero, Terence T Malunga, Harlington Shereni, Cuthbert C Chitima, Norman Matemera, Beulah Musara
