By Evans Dakwa, News Editor
It has turned out be the most anticipated Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) elections the country has ever had, and rightfully so as a mere peep at the candidates who have thrown their hats for the coveted position in Zimbabwean football illuminates the interest of every average football follower in the teapot shaped nation.
The morning of the 23rd of December had the rumour mill of football whispering that bigwigs who had thrown their hats into the ring had been removed from the final list of candidates after failing the ‘integrity test.’
When the Normalisation Committee finally released the list of candidates for the January 2025 elections, some aspiring candidates’ worst fears were confirmed.
Themba Mliswa, Prophet Walter Magaya, Benjani Mwaruwari, Farai Jere all fell by the wayside for reasons not yet announced.
Leading to the seating of the electoral body to finalize the candidates list, a smear campaign had been unleashed by various proxies of aspiring candidates.Letters questioning the integrity of some of the candidates flew from all angles.Eventually the committee had to make a decision, and they made one dashing the hopes of some of the favourites in the race for the ZIFA top post.
While some of the disqualified persons are yet to comment Themba Mliswa has already intimated he will appeal the decision and put to test Zimbabwe’s football laws.
“I have seen the list of approved candidates vying for the ZIFA Presidency. I would like to congratulate those who have been approved. As an aspiring candidate with a passion to enter the race and in line with the Electoral Code Article 9 I would like to say I will be appealing,” said the former Norton legislator and Dynamos chairman.
The decision of the committee to bar certain candidates will no doubt face contestations which might delay the election and further elongate the term of the Normalisation Committee, something most Zimbabwean football lovers are not keen on.
Renowned politician and lawyers Advocate Fortune Chasi weighed in on the matter highlighting it is prudent that ZIFA provide reasons for the disqualification of any candidate.
“The matter is a very simple one – a disqualification decision that does not state reasons therefore is *ex facie arbitrary* and therefore unreasonable. ZIFA is a public body running a business in which the public is heavily invested. Its not a private company,” Advocate Chasi said.