HARARE – Nqobile Magwizi has been elected the President of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) following a landslide victory that saw him secure 61 votes followed by Philimon Machana with 6, Twine Phiri with 4 votes , Marshall Gore with 1 and 0 votes for Makwinji Soma Phiri.
Controversial tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo’s promise to gift vehicles to ZIFA councillors who backed Magwizi raised concerns of vote-buying.
“To begin with, he will immediately ‘GO AND SEE VICTOR’ and get himself a brand-new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series worth US$200,000—a car befitting the status of a ZIFA president,” Chivayo wrote.
“After Magwizi takes office, with his authority, I will also motivate the newly elected board members and all councillors countrywide, each of them will also receive brand-new vehicles,” he added
In addition to the cars, Chivayo pledged a US$10 million sponsorship to ZIFA’s football development efforts, earmarked for grassroots development, operational excellence, and the sport’s commercialisation.
Meanwhile Prophet Walter Magaya claimed he backed Magwizi’s campaign after being pressured by “elders” and “powerful people” after his own disqualification from the race in December.
“I can’t fight the system,” Magaya told ZIFA councillors on Friday night, ahead of the election on Saturday.
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
