Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE term “football person” is an age-old cliché, often expressed in vernacular as “Munhu webhora”, typically referring to individuals deeply involved in the game, usually as players and sometimes as administrators.
Over time, this label has created a sense of entitlement among football insiders, implying that they are the game’s authorities and visionaries, if not the heavenly anointed leaders of the game.
However, developments on January 25 may have challenged this notion.
Notable “football persons”, figures like Sharif Musa, Sunday Chidzambwa, Makwinji Soma Phiri, Alois Bunjira, Cecilia Gambe and Twine Phiri all vied for positions, but lost.
Instead, Nqobile Magwizi, a businessman and philanthropist, emerged as the clear winner, securing 61 out of 77 votes (80 percent) in the presidential election.
Magwizi now faces the daunting task of restoring ZIFA’s credibility.
No wonder, football banter, in social media circles, had it that Makwinji Soma Phiri, who was nicknamed Kwinji 15 during his playing days at Highlanders and Dynamos, had his nickname changed to Kwinji Zero, after the once lethal striker failed to get a single vote for his ZIFA presidential bid.
Veteran sports caster, Charles “CNN” Mabika, expressed disappointment at the ZIFA councillors’ voting patterns in the national election, which he believes disrespected the game’s legends.
He cited international examples, such as Michael Platini, who led UEFA, and Samuel Eto’o, president of Cameroon’s FA, highlighting how other countries value their football legends.
Mabika felt the councillors’ actions were a slap in the face to these legends.
“It never ceases to amaze me, election year after election year, it is astonishing how councillors disregard our former players and legends, who dedicated years to their clubs and country. What more proof do they need of their commitment? For so many, many years, each time they come to contest even as ordinary board members at ZIFA national elections, they lose. How much more do these councillors want these legends to prove to them that they love their country very much because they demonstrated that when they played for their respective clubs and country for so many years?
“To keep on disregarding them, like they did in the last election, is a slap in their faces. You look outside the country, Michael Platini, one of the greatest legends ever to play for France, and in France at club level was until his dismissal the president of EUFA. Samuel Etoo, perhaps the greatest player ever to come out of Cameroon, is the president of the FA in Cameroon. The list is just endless.
“All we are saying is that councillors when they congregate again in the next five years, at least one or two of our legends should be voted as a board member. I am saying perhaps they start as board members and move up with time until they contest even for the highest office,” said Mabika.
Mwandibhuya Mutepfa, a seasoned soccer administrator and governance expert, also expressed disappointment at the lack of former players on the board. Mutepfa, whose extensive experience includes serving as the secretary of Lancashire Steel Football Club, board member of ZIFA responsible for development, and Premier Soccer League secretary general, said he had hoped to have more former players of the game in the board.
“I conducted some research to understand the dynamics at play. I was surprised to see a significant number of former players participating in this election. I had hoped that at least one or two would be elected to the board. While none were successful, the election of the vice-president, a former player who retired from Herentals, is a positive move.
“Notably, several former players, including Makwinji Soma Phiri, Sunday Chidzambwa, Alois Bunjira, and Harlington Shereni participated in the election, but were unsuccessful. It was reported that they did not actively campaign, relying on their reputation instead.
“Furthermore, it is alleged that monetary incentives played a role in the election, with some candidates offering allowances, food, and accommodation to councillors during the campaign period.
“Being on the ZIFA board is essentially a voluntary role, which raises questions about why individuals would invest substantial amounts to secure a position. I view it as vote-buying when someone pays for councillors’ allowances, food, and accommodation. This practice is not common in other countries.
“It is a form of bribery that undermines the integrity of football governance. As long as such circumstances persist, I doubt football will truly benefit. We will have to wait and see if this election has brought in the right people for the sport,” said Mutepfa, who is currently in Canada where he is a board member of the Calgary United Soccer Association (CUSA), and recognised soccer governance analyst.
