HARARE – ZIFA councillors backing Walter Magaya’s bid for the presidency were left baffled Friday night after the PHD church founder endorsed Nqobile Magwizi, the candidate being backed by millionaire petroleum tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
Magwizi, who has allegedly spent thousands of dollars enticing councillors while at the same time working with shadowy operatives to position himself as “the system’s candidate,” is widely seen as the frontrunner in Saturday’s election.
However, he faces strong competition from Twine Phiri, Marshall Gore, Phillemon Machana, and Makwinji Soma Phiri—all of whom have track records in football.
On the eve of the crucial vote, Magaya addressed the 78 ZIFA councillors who will vote for a new executive at his Yadah Hotel, in what appeared to be a reluctant endorsement of Magwizi. Magaya, who was disqualified by ZIFA for failing an integrity test in December, said he had been pressured by “elders” and “powerful people” to back Magwizi.
“If you ask me if there is anyone on the ballot who can deliver half of what I wanted to do, I’ll tell you there is no-one,” Magaya told councillors Friday night. “Two weeks ago, I was invited by top people who asked me why I was still pushing for the ZIFA presidency when ZIFA had disqualified me.
“They told me there is a preferred candidate within the system — Magwizi. They said my chances of winning were ‘minus one.’”
Magaya, who on Thursday lost a High Court bid to re-enter the ZIFA presidential race, narrated how he was advised to step aside and focus on his church, but he resisted, equating football to preaching.
“Football is my passion. If we improve football, we preach peace,” he said.
He revealed having “a meeting with a big man” after the courts rejected his bid to contest, where he was urged to endorse Magwizi.
“They said Magwizi would work closely with me to implement my vision. I can’t go against the system and powerful people, after all I’ve lost at the courts,” Magaya added.
Magaya set conditions for his endorsement, including guarantees that councillors who are not governors of clubs would not be removed, women’s football would be respected and funded, and grassroots football development would be prioritised.
“He (the said elder) promised me all these things,” he said.
However, his speech left councillors puzzled, with some questioning whether he had been intimidated into making the endorsement.
One councillor asked if Magwizi’s camp would amend the constitution to allow Magaya to contest in the future. Magaya denied any such promises, stating, “They only said I should back-off. I was promised nothing.”
Magaya concluded by stressing that councillors were free to vote as they wished but made it clear where his allegiance lay.
“I am not telling you who to vote for, but my endorsement goes to Magwizi,” he said.
The congress will shape the future of Zimbabwean football, marking the anticipated end of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee’s mandate.
Speculation abounds over whether councillors, who were in Magaya’s corner before his disqualification but still hold him in high regard, will back Magwizi, amid fears, if elected, Magwizi will alter the composition of the elective congress, replacing councillors with his own allies.
Critics describe Magwizi as unapproachable, raising concerns about his accessibility and his ability to engage effectively.
Allegations have also surfaced suggesting he is a puppet of powerful forces, including Tagwirei, unable to make independent decisions without seeking permission.
Apart from managing the US$1.5 million annual grant from FIFA, the new ZIFA prasident will also work with treasury which has committed more millions to sprucing up the country’s football grounds – opening an avenue for lucrative construction contracts which those financing candidates would be eyeing.
