THE Zifa Southern Region elections get underway today with some of the candidates expressing their willingness to change the face of football in the region, which they say has been trampled upon over the years.
The contest pits incumbent chairman Lloyd Munhanga against Warriors and Highlanders legend Zenzo “Zemura” Moyo, as well as experienced football administrator Chris Mtungwazi and former Zimbabwe Saints player Tawanda Tali.
Moyo, a decorated footballer, played locally for Highlanders, Cyprus in Europe and a key figure of the Warriors in his prime, says football owes the platform to lead.
“For over 20 years, our football has been led by people who do not belong to football. We need to work together as leaders,” he said.
“We played football for a long time and contributed a lot and this sport owes us a favour because we have scars. We know what it takes to make decisions and that is lacking in the current leaders.
“Football is not just a game to me; it is the story of my life. From the dusty pitches of Bulawayo to the professional stadiums of Europe, I have lived and breathed this beautiful game. I know the sweat, the sacrifice, and the sheer passion it takes to succeed.”
Moyo said he was aware of the challenges that players, coaches and regional clubs face because he has been there.
“I scored the goals, felt the pressure and experienced the pride of wearing the national team jersey.
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“Now, I want to channel that same dedication, commitment and winning mentality into rebuilding our regional football from the grassroots up.”
He said his football life had prepared him for the Zifa chairmanship, advocating for transparency and good governance, reviving grassroots football, empowering clubs and restoring the Southern Region’s pride.
On the other hand, Mtungwazi bemoans the state of football in the region and blames it for having only two teams, Highlanders and Chicken Inn, in the Premier Soccer League in 2025.
“It’s an honour to be able to be in this race. It would be an even greater honour to win this race and represent the region,” he said.
“Our region over the past few years has been in decline. I think this is the lowest levels that our region has reached. We are represented by only two teams in the PSL.
“To have three teams being relegated in one season, that is a problem that is within our region.
“It’s part of the problem that stems from years of decline in our administration capabilities, in our support structure of the region going down to grassroots level.”
Added Mtungwazi: “So when I come in, it is my desire to see that the region regains its status as one of the most powerful, as the most influential region in the country, as we have always been, because this region is the cradle of football.”
He said there is need to “get it back on track” and they intend to do that by “strengthening our administrative capacity and also making sure that our ratings are attractive to sponsorship by bringing in transparency into how our football is run and how our finances are run”.
“That way, we can also get corporate support, which the league so desperately needs for us to fund its operations.”
Tafadzwa Mutowa is the club’s favourite and is vying for the vice-chairman’s post, under challenge from Martin Mhlanga and Elton Sinyosi, while former Zifa normalisation committee member Sikhumbuzo Ndebele seeks to sit on the board, fighting it out with Tizirayi Luphahla, Prince Nyoni, Lovemore Kuvheya and Tatenda Ncube.
There are four slots for the board members, besides the chairman’s and vice-chairman’s post.
