HARARE – Yadah Stars owner, Walter Magaya’s challenge against disqualification from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) presidential race is set to be heard at the High Court this Friday with the tycoon preacher also piling more pressure on the football mother body through a complaint filed with the Switzerland based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Parties met for case management before High Court judge Tawanda Chitapi on Tuesday with Magaya’s lawyers expressing confidence in the fruition of the court action.

“The matter will have to be heard on Friday. There are two cases to be heard, the urgent case and the main matter,” said Tavonga Makamure, from Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners.

“Our client should be given a chance to contest. However, there is an issue that the elections should be held on the 25th of this month … so, we met to push for a quick hearing because this is a matter of public interest and a national matter… so, we managed to push for the matter to be heard this Friday.

“So, we have so much confidence in the matter and we think we have a very good case because our client, Mr Magaya has done so much in football and we just want him to get a chance to contest.

“Our understanding is that our client’s name should be on the list even though they might have to mention that he is subject to hearing. Our client is not there to be disqualified illegally.”

The PHD Ministries founder was elbowed out of the race in December last year together with outgoing Premier Soccer League chairman Farai Jere, Warriors’ legend Benjani Mwaruwari, and ex-Norton MP Temba Mliswa after failing a ZIFA integrity test.

The disqualifications followed a rigorous screening led by a committee chaired by former Harare Mayor and lawyer Muchadeyi Masunda.

Magaya was disqualified for failing to submit proof of five Ordinary Level passes as required by ZIFA statutes.

However, he contends that his advanced qualifications, including a Higher Certificate in Marketing and a National Diploma in Marketing, surpass the minimum requirement and should be deemed sufficient.

The ZIFA Normalisation Committee released the final list of eligible candidates, narrowing the presidential race to six contenders: Marshall Gore, Philemon Machana, Nqobile Magwizi, Martin Kweza, Twine Phiri, and Makwinje Phiri.

Magaya remains adamant and has escalated his case with CAS.

In his complaint, filed under CAS 2025/A/11114, the businessman argues that the interpretation of the statute is flawed and discriminatory, potentially excluding experienced administrators and former players.

Magaya also alleges procedural violations, claiming ZIFA failed to notify him of deficiencies in his application, as mandated by the Electoral Code.