All eyes will be on the Zifa normalisation committee who are expected to complete their integrity tests on all the candidates who are vying for positions in the next Zifa board tomorrow.
As many as 10 aspirants reportedly submitted their papers to make it into the board as committee members.
Candidates will need to pass an eligibility test before getting to the final shortlist, which will be confirmed on December 23.
Last week was eventful as a series of letters were written to the Zifa ethics committee from mostly unknown individuals meant to discredit most of the presidential candidates.
Among them is Philemon Machana, who is one of the favourites to ascend to the football top job.
Machana rubbished allegations of financial misconduct, fraud and corruption that had been raised against him in a bid to impede his candidacy for the association's elections slated for January 25.
A certain K Mugadzaweta wrote a letter to the Zifa ethics committee, which was copied to the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), objecting to Machana's candidature.
In a response letter to the Zifa ethics committee, through his lawyers Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practioners, Machana said the claims were unfounded and felt that they were part of a wider smear campaign to discredit him and undermine his chances of success.
“Upon reviewing the attached documents, it appears that our client was reportedly reported to Zacc on 13 December 2024, shortly after the Zifa nomination process concluded, in which he submitted his nomination for the position of president of Zifa. Additionally, it is evident that the alleged criminal complaint was copied and delivered to both Zifa and SRC on 16 December 2024. It is also evident that the criminal complaint submitted to Zacc was copied to the Zifa ethics committee. We hasten to posit that the timing of this alleged complaint is highly suspicious and raises significant concerns as it appears to be a deliberate attempt to:
- i) Cast our client in a negative light and damage his reputation by portraying him as a reckless and incorrigible offender, which is entirely false.
- ii) To colour the minds and unduly influence the evaluation of our client’s candidacy by raising unfounded concerns about his eligibility for the position that he applied for.
“We view this action as a malicious attempt to undermine our client’s candidacy and tarnish his reputation.”
The build-up to the crucial Zifa election slated for next month has literally become a mudslinging game, with attempts to bar certain candidates from taking part.
The Zifa ethics committee has received letters objecting to the candidacy of Machana, Walter Magaya, former Premier Soccer League chairman Twine Phiri, businessman Nqobile Magwizi, Martin Kweza and politician Temba Mliswa.
The other candidates vying for the Zifa presidency are PSL chairman Farai Jere and UK based Marshal Gore..