The Sunday Mail

Chiyangwa is favourite

Juul makes some progress

Gwindi, Takavada play catch up

Makomborero Mutimukulu
Sports Editor
IF the idea of Phillip Chiyangwa becoming Zifa president makes you feel sick you only have two options – pray for a late swing among the voting councillors or just accept that he is the man that the system wants.
With six days to go before Saturday’s elections at the Zifa Village, the maverick Chiyangwa looks exactly like he has looked since the day he announced his intention to replace Cuthbert Dube – ahead of the pack.
A survey among the 58 councillors who are expected to vote points to the businessman with some Donald Trump traits.So confident is Chiyangwa and his team which also includes vice president aspirant Omega Sibanda, that contact has already been made with executives at two of the country’s blue chip companies.A charm offensive has also been launched towards the businessman’s harshest critics.
But how has Chiyangwa managed to get so close to the top office in Zimbabwean football when he seems to be the least qualified among the quartet of himself, Trevor Juul, Leslie Gwindi and James Takavada?
It’s the system!
He is clearly the man wanted by the clique that pushed Dube out and they have insulated him by having the three regional chairmen Piraishe Mabhena (eastern region), Mussa Mandaza (southern region) and Felton Kamambo (central region), run for board member positions under his “ticket.”
What about the Northern Region?
Its Chiyangwa’s too.
lts chairman Willard Manyengavana opted against running for office arguing that he still has some unfinished business as head of Division One.With Manyengavana stepping aside, Joseph Musariri is the northern region’s “representative” on the “Bhora kuna Phidza” train.
Chiyangwa’s political experience has also come in handy with the 56-year-old tasking the regional chairmen with being “chief whips” who ensure that councillors who have pledged their allegiance do not have last minute change of hearts.Yesterday, the businessman was at his bragging best.“I am the one who is in possession of the ball, the task is to keep it and score a good goal on Saturday,” he said.
“We have worked hard over the past weeks but that does not compare to how hard we will work this week as the big day draws closer.“I am no prophet but I foresee an emphatic victory for Chiyangwa, the councillors are in my corner.”Have you used money to woo the councillors into your corner?
“Are you asking about vote buying?”
“Yes, if you want to put it that way.”
“I have heard that preposterous allegation before and have not dignified it with a response but today I will say something about it,” boomed Chiyangwa.“What is there to benefit from Zifa? The Association is said to be $ 6 million in the red. I am coming in to help clean that mess and I cannot pay for the right to clean after Dube’s mess.
“Remember I did not offer myself to the councillors, they came to me and said ‘PC help us.’ Such silly talk will not deter my team and I…we have a job to do and it starts on December 6, a day after the elections.“Trust me, I am determined to succeed as Zifa boss. I cannot afford to tarnish my image by failing the people’s game. My work will speak for itself.”
Trevor Carelse-Juul appears to be Chiyangwa’s closest challenger and the South African based former Zifa boss is hoping to capitalise on his rival’s perceived complacency.Chiyangwa has been known to blow good election chances hence Juul, despite rolling out his campaign late, remains hopeful.
“It is good for him (Chiyangwa) to claim he has already bagged the majority of the votes. Let us see what complacency brings,” he said.“I am getting councilors coming over on a daily basis. Support is growing and the backing we are also getting from the public has been overwhelming.“We have supper all round…far stronger support than before. People don’t want football to end up as a clown’s show that fails. Let us wait and see. I believe and trust in the Lord.”
Gwindi’s campaign has not been show stopping but the former PSL secretary general reckons his time is nigh.
“The councilors are very clear, they know they have made mistakes in the past and want to make corrections. Football must win at the end of the day.
“They took 10 steps forward on October 3 when they booted out Cuthbert Dube and I do not think they will make 15 steps backwards on December 5.
“You cannot stop an idea whose time has come. This is a very historic election, one that will determine whether we are going forward or backwards,” he said.Gwindi insists Chiyangwa is not a football man and Juul is seeking to run Zifa by remote control.“I am still to be told of a credible organisation that is led by someone not resident in that particular country.
“We should not have people cropping up when elections are around the corner, are they part of the system?” he said.He however, does not speak ill of Takavada.A Takavada triumph will be beyond shocking.The former Warriors and Ziscosteel defender is excepted to launch his manifesto tomorrow amid a call for the councillors to “use their brains” when they cast the ballot. “My message is ‘please vote wisely, use your brains and vote for someone who will appeal to the fans who are the real owners of the game.’
“Let’s not chase away fans from the stadiums by voting in someone who is not liked by the owners of the game.
“There has been a lot of noise, with some claiming they have won the race already but we will see what happens when December 5 arrives,” said Takavada.

Peter to back winner

Langton Nyakwenda
ZIMBABWEAN soccer legend Peter Ndlovu has said he will throw his full weight behind whoever wins Saturday’s Zifa presidential elections.
At a time when soccer fans are worried that Phillip Chiyangwa will win and turn out to be another version of Cuthbert Dube, the former Warriors skipper has urged the nation to support whoever the system picks.
“If we put agendas at the front, football will lose. We must be able to support the individual who becomes our next president so that our football moves forward,” said Ndlovu.
“The new president will need us and we will need him. Whoever comes in has got my 100 percent support, I have got no agenda because I support the system
“The issue is not about former footballers coming in and taking over.
Without pointing fingers at former footballers, they should also have good administrative skills.
“We need a good leader, whoever comes in there has to be supported. There should be unity of purpose, my advice is just kuti tibatane, to work together and put football first.”
Ndlovu flew into the country last Friday to attend the launch of the annual Edzai Kasinauyo Youths Games whose first edition ends in Guruve District today.The most successful former Warriors skipper also endorsed Kasinauyo’s bid to land one of the four Zifa board member posts at the upcoming elections.
Ndlovu’s comments come a few weeks after the man who is leading Zifa’s quest to raise funds, Open Minds managing director Darren Thompson, told journalists that Phillip Chiyangwa will not be a disaster as Zifa president.
Although he did not mention names, Thompson appeared to suggest that his job to raise money for the beleaguered soccer governing body will be made easier by having Chiyangwa at the helm.
“The man your are asking about does not have me worried, in fact I began to breathe easier when I heard that he is the favourite because he has a track record …he is like your Donald Trump, he gets things done and that is what we want to happen.
“The challenge I have had in the past is companies asking about how safe their money is with Zifa but with a guy like the one you guys are asking about in charge, I don’t think that question will be coming anymore.
“There are companies ready to assist Zifa but they are waiting to see what happens at the elections,” said Thompson.