Zimpapers Sports Hub
LAST night Benjani Mwaruwari and Makwinji Soma-Phiri confirmed that they had filed in their papers for the Zifa presidency.
Soma-Phiri is also on the list for the board members.
The elections will be held on January 25 next year.
Yesterday was the deadline for submissions and those that go through the vetting process will be known by December 23 with a final list of contestants published on January 15.
“I am in the race. My papers are in. I am in the race,” said Mwaruwari from the UK last night.
Mwaruwari is a former Warriors captain whose glittering career took him to Grasshoppers in Switzerland, Auxerre in France and English League’s Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
He is a former Warriors captain.
Soma-Phiri had a stellar career with the country’s biggest clubs Dynamos and Highlanders with whom he picked over a dozen pieces of silverware which includes league championships, Zifa Cup, Heroes and Independence.
He was also capped for his country.
“I am running for the post of Zifa president, I filed my papers, I am keen to serve Zimbabwe football. I have also been nominated for the board member’s position,” said the Harare based property maintenance manager last night.
Two other former great players, who won the Soccer Star of the Year award, James Takavada and Alois Bunjira have thrown their names into the race for vice presidency and board member respectively.
Harrington Shereni a former Dynamos and Warriors leftback, who played in Switzerland also filed in his nomination for the board member role.
With former players, club owners, former provincial and regional administrators and referees coming into the fray, it looks like it will be an exciting poll expected to usher a new era for a game that has not known any peace since Leo Mugabe’s departure in 2003.
Unconfirmed list of aspiring Board Members
Walter Musanhu, Bheki Nyoni, Kadzombe Kudzai, Zimunya Francis, Tapela Andrew, Mushonga Swinney, Marambanyika Thomas, Chivero Admore, Hara Tavengwa, Lupahla Tizirayi, Dube Morgen, Desmond Ali, Munyonga Nicholas, Malunga Tinashe, Muchena Davison, Chihowa Masimba, Sibekiwe Ndlovu, Mupfurutsa Isaiah, Col Ntokoziso Moyo, Gwesela Xolisani, Mbwirire Trynos, Beaular Msara, Simba Ndoro. Col.Edward Mutukwa, Gwarada Benard, Alois Bunjira, Cuthbert Chitima, Gilbert Saika, Blessing Mpande, Tafadzwa Benza, Cecelia Gambi, Musariri, Brighton Ushendibaba, Lewis Muzhara, Modern Ngwenya, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Harlington Shereni, James Chidamba
Aspiring Female VPs
Loveness Mukura, Mavis Gumbo, Kapota Joyce, Patience Mutumwa, Winnet Muropa, Kadenge Nyasha, Sabelo Maphosa, Annah Mguni
Aspiring Male VPs
Dube Peter, Banda Gift, Ndebele Kenny, Sibanda Omega, James Takavada
Aspiring Presidents
Magaya Walter, Themba Mliswa, Magwizi Nqobile, Machana Philimon , Twine Phiri, Jere Farai, Muponda Gilbert, Gore Marshall, Kweza Martin, Benjani Mwaruwari
