The ZIFA Normalisation Committee remains resolute that the elections scheduled for January 25 will proceed as planned, despite court challenges by disqualified executive committee aspirants.
Benjani Mwaruwari, Gift Banda, and Walter Magaya, who were disqualified, have initiated legal proceedings to challenge their exclusion from the elections.
Mwaruwari and Banda have lodged a joint appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, while Magaya’s bid is with the High Court in Harare.
The three men were deemed to have failed the Ethics and Integrity Test conducted by the Normalisation Committee, which also serves as the Electoral Committee at the behest of FIFA.
Their names, along with those of Farai Jere and Temba Mliswa, were excluded from the list made public by the Normalisation Committee on December 23.
Jere, a Member of Parliament, chose not to challenge his disqualification, but Mliswa is reportedly launching a separate challenge at the High Court, questioning the legitimacy of Congress to participate in the polls.
In a statement on Tuesday, ZIFA Normalisation Committee member Nyasha Sanyamandwe insisted that ZIFA is proceeding with preparations to stage the elections as scheduled on January 25. She said:
<blockquote>
The ZIFA Normalisation Committee, acting in its capacity as the ZIFA Electoral Committee, acknowledges receipt of Walter Magaya’s court application for review, filed with the High Court of Zimbabwe, challenging his ineligibility to contest for the ZIFA presidency.
This ineligibility was communicated on 23 December 2024. The ZIFA Electoral Committee wishes to clarify that Mr Magaya’s decision to approach local courts is ultra vires the ZIFA Statutes.
While the application is framed as a request for review, it does not address any procedural irregularities but rather raises substantive issues that should have been directed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as stipulated by the ZIFA Statutes.
</blockquote>
Sanyamandwe said Magaya’s challenge should have followed the same path taken by Mwaruwari and Banda. She said:
<blockquote>
In contrast, we commend both Benjani Mwaruwari and Gift Banda for their adherence to the established processes.
Their decision to challenge their ineligibility at CAS demonstrates a commitment to upholding the ZIFA Statutes.
We remain cooperative and committed to ensuring a transparent process and pledge to respect the CAS verdict when it is issued.
For clarity, we received the CAS application on Monday afternoon, 6 January 2025. The Electoral Committee is working closely with its external legal counsel to ensure an appropriate response within the stipulated dies inducia of two days.
We will monitor the CAS proceedings closely and engage as required. As it stands, the ZIFA elections will proceed as scheduled.
</blockquote>
An 11-member executive committee, also known as the board, will be elected on January 25 and will have a four-year mandate to run the affairs of ZIFA.
The Normalisation Committee is set to announce the final list of candidates on January 15. On that same day, the Committee will also disclose the names of 78 delegates from ZIFA members who will be eligible to vote when Congress convenes at Rainbow Towers on January 25.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The ZIFA Normalisation Committee is still planning to have elections on January 25, even though some people are fighting their disqualification. Benjani Mwaruwari, Gift Banda, and Walter Magaya have gone to court to challenge their exclusion. Some were disqualified for not passing an ethics test. Another person, Temba Mliswa, is also questioning the legitimacy of the Congress to participate in the elections. The committee said they will continue with the elections and pick an 11-member executive committee on January 25 to run ZIFA for four years. The final list of candidates and eligible voters will be announced on January 15.

Normalisation Committee Firm On ZIFA Elections

The ZIFA board, set to take office on January 25, 2025, will decide whether the current Assembly remains or if elections will be held.
Nyasha Samanyandwe, a legal practitioner and member of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, said on Monday that it will be up to the new board to either retain the existing Assembly or hold elections for Area Zone, provinces, regions, women’s soccer, and other bodies like Futsal and Beach Football. She said (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/new-zifa-board-will-decide-councillors-future/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
The way forward beyond 25 January is not our mandate. We can only recommend if our advice is sought; otherwise, our focus is getting elections done on the day, and we wind up. It will be up to the new board to decide the way forward.
</blockquote>
The mandate of the ZIFA Assembly ended in 2022 after serving a four-year term that began in 2018, with Felton Kamambo and Gift Banda having been voted president and deputy.
When FIFA appointed the NC last year, they allowed the Assembly members to participate in the association’s annual general meeting on November 22, which approved the new constitution and pathway to the January 25 elections.
Some of the councillors have been in office for nearly two decades.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The ZIFA Board will decide if the current Assembly stays or if elections will be held. The new board will choose whether to keep the current members or have new elections for different soccer bodies. The current Assembly's term ended in 2022. Some members have been in office for years. FIFA appointed a Normalisation Committee last year to help with the process. The new board will take office on January 25, 2025. They will make decisions about the future of the soccer organization.

ZIFA Board To Decide On Current Assembly's Future

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has adopted a new constitution that now makes it mandatory for all prospective candidates for its presidency to possess a minimum of five Ordinary Level subjects.
The new constitution was ratified by congress on Friday, 18 October.
In a post-Annual General Meeting press conference, ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairman Lincoln Mutasa said that the new constitution will enable ZIFA elections early next year.
He said candidates for the ZIFA presidency must now have five ‘O’ Levels to ensure qualified leadership. 
Mutasa also encouraged players to balance their football careers with academic pursuits if they aspire to lead ZIFA in the future. He said:
<blockquote>
When one applies for a job, there are certain requirements needed, and we are not looking for star players to head the association. We need people with the requisite knowledge for the job.
</blockquote>
Several names have surfaced as potential candidates for the ZIFA presidency, such as Walter Magaya, Marshall Gore, Ellen Chiwenga, Brighton “Panjap” Ushendibaba, Richard Mazodze, and Martin Kweza.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIFA, the Zimbabwe Football Association, now requires presidential candidates to have at least five O-Level subjects. The new rule was approved in a meeting and will allow elections next year. The chairman of ZIFA encourages players to study as well as play football. This will help ensure that the future leaders of ZIFA are qualified for the job. Many potential candidates have been mentioned for the upcoming elections. This change is to make sure that the people in charge of ZIFA know what they are doing.

ZIFA Presidential Candidates Must Have Five O-Levels

A group calling itself “The Candidate”, comprising “progressive football individuals”, is challenging the decision by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Normalisation Committee to hold an elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) with the current regional affiliates whose term of office has allegedly expired.
In a letter dated August 21, 2024, addressed to ZIFA Normalisation Committee Chairperson Lincoln Mutasa, The Candidate’s Chairperson Rtd Major Special Matarirano said the regional bodies should be replaced by normalization committees before the AGM is held. He wrote:
<blockquote>
The recent call and announcement of the intention for the ZIFA AGM have prompted our assembly to question the sincerity of the NC in changing the fortunes of football in Zimbabwe for the good.
On 10 August 2024, the ZIFA General Secretary, Yvonne Manwa published a letter to several defunct functionaries whose mandate ceased years ago, inviting them to attend a voting AGM in October 2024.
It should be made known to the NC that the current regional bodies, who in the Manwa invitation letters, were to constitute 16 members from the 4 regions in the 60 purported ZIFA members, are out of their mandate and by now were supposed to have been normalised in the same way the Felton Kamambo led ZIFA board was replaced by the NC upon the lifting of sanctions on Zimbabwe football in 2022.
This was supposed to be the issue, and it remains pertinent as a gap to be quickly filled before any AGM can be called for.
</blockquote>
In a notice dated August 10, and released by chief executive Yvonne Mapika Manwa, ZIFA set October 18 as the date of the annual meeting in Harare. She wrote:
<blockquote>
According to Article 24, the members exercise their voting rights through their official delegates, who will also take part in debates of the AGM.
Each official delegate has a single vote and may not represent more than one member.
Also present will be the ZIFA Normalisation Committee members, secretariat staff, Sports and Recreation Commission representative, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee representative and Auditors representatives.
Each member is humbly requested to submit names and passport-size photos of their delegates to the secretariat on or before the 31st of August 2024.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, according to <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/sport/date-for-zifa-elections-set/">ZBC</a>, the ZIFA Executive Committee elections are set to be held on the 11th of January 2025 under a new constitution.
The report says ZIFA held an Extraordinary General Meeting on Saturday, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFA, and the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) all represented at the EGM.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A group called "The Candidate" is mad that ZIFA wants to have a meeting with old regional clubs. They think the clubs should be replaced before the meeting. ZIFA announced a meeting on October 18, and they want delegates to come vote. But "The Candidate" says the meeting shouldn't happen until the old clubs are replaced. ZIFA plans to have new elections in January 2025. CAF, FIFA, and SRC were at a recent ZIFA meeting. There's still a debate about what should happen before the AGM takes place.

Football Group "The Candidate" Contests ZIFA's Plan To Hold AGM With Defunct Regional Affiliates

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League club Herentals College’s owner Innocent Benza has slammed the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Normalisation Committee (NC) led by Chairman Lincoln Mutasa for his alleged “lack of interest in and basic knowledge about football”.
Benza, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mutasa Central (ZANU PF), said Mutasa “must do the noble thing and resign for the good of the game”.
He made the remarks after Mutasa, NC member Nyasha Sanyamandwe and ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Mapika Manwa appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports and Recreation on Thursday in Harare.
The trio failed to provide convincing responses to the questions they were asked by the sports committee in line with their line of duty and basic football knowledge.
Mutasa revealed he has yet to attend a local league match one year into office since their appointment by FIFA in July 2023, while Sanyamandwe said she had no prior football experience before her appointment to the NC.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Benza, who is a member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports and Recreation, said Mutasa “must resign” to “save” Zimbabwean football. Said Benza (via <a href="https://nehandaradio.com/2024/07/26/herentals-owner-benza-blasts-zifa-nc-tells-chairman-mutasa-to-resign/">Nehanda Radio</a>):
<blockquote>
The lack of interest in football from someone claiming to be a ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairman, and the lack of knowledge is also worrisome, also the ZIFA committee represented here, lacked the basic knowledge of football.
This is the reason why we are saying he (Mutasa) must do the noble thing and resign for the good of the game.
We are not forcing him to resign but we are saying through his reasoning, he must just hand in his resignation to save Zimbabwean football.
We are lagging not because we don’t have the facilities or football in Zimbabwe but simply because the person at the front lacks interest and he expressed clearly in front of everyone that he is too busy to come to even watch football, we don’t know what he will be doing there.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The owner of a soccer club in Zimbabwe, Innocent Benza, wants the chairman of the football association to resign. He thinks the chairman doesn't care about football and doesn't know much about it. Benza believes the chairman should step down to help improve soccer in the country. The chairman admitted he hasn't even watched a local match in a year. Benza, who is also a member of Parliament, believes the chairman's lack of interest is holding back Zimbabwean football. He wants the chairman to quit for the good of the game.

Herentals Owner Innocent Benza Says ZIFA NC Chairman Must Resign To "Save Zimbabwean Football"

Mhondoro Mubaira Member of Parliament Chamu Chiwanza (ZANU PF) says the members of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee (NC) are “clueless individuals who don’t know anything about football” and called for their immediate resignation.
The ZIFA NC comprises Lincoln C. Mutasa (chairperson), Rosemary Mugadza (member), and Nyasha Tashinga Sanyamandwe (member). Yvonne Mapika-Manwa is the chief executive officer.
Mutasa, Sanyamandwe, and Mapika-Manwa appeared before the Parliamentary Sports Portfolio Committee on Thursday and were grilled by legislators about the state of football in the country.
Parliamentary Sports Portfolio Committee members include Farai Jere (Murehwa West) and Innocent Benza (Mutasa Central) both ZANU PF and the owners of Premier Soccer League clubs CAPS United and Herental College, respectively.
Chiwanza, Jere and Benza were among the committee members who took turns to ask Mutasa critical questions.
During the session, Mutasa revealed that he had not attended a single PSL match in the last 12 months, claiming instead that he watched the games on television, while Mapika-Manwa was exposed for not being able to name some of the players on the national football team.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Chiwanza said described the former Dynamos chairman and his administration as individuals who exposed a lack of knowledge and the inability to run the game. He said (via <a href="https://www.soccer24.co.zw/2024/07/26/mp-chamu-chiwanza-blasts-clueless-zifa-nc-calls-for-their-immediate-resignation/">Soccer24</a>):
<blockquote>
The ZIFA Normalisation Committee appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports and Recreation at the new Parliament in Mount Hampden earlier today. They are absolutely clueless, and they don’t know what football is.
Not even how to run it but they don’t know football in general. From the secretary general to the legal director in charge.
As a committee, there is no better way to describe the catastrophe that we saw today (yesterday). What a disaster coming from the ZIFA Normalisation Committee (NC).
We cannot allow our football to be run by clueless individuals with selfish agendas. I expect the chairman of the ZIFA NC to put his resignation with immediate effect.
He has no idea. It’s a catastrophe. The decay and degradation of football has been getting worse since they (ZIFA NC) came into office one year ago.
Zimbabwe is a football-loving nation. The people are crazy about football and our president is doing massive work to see that Zimbabweans are happy and we cannot allow people running football trying to distract it.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZANU PF MP Chamu Chiwanza wants ZIFA Normalisation Committee members to resign because they don't know about football. The committee, including Lincoln C. Mutasa, Rosemary Mugadza, and Nyasha Tashinga Sanyamandwe, faced tough questions from Parliament. Mutasa admitted to not attending PSL matches and Mapika-Manwa couldn't name national team players. Chiwanza criticized the committee for their lack of knowledge and called for their resignation for failing football in Zimbabwe. They want football to be run by people who care about the sport and not just for their own agendas.

ZANU PF MP Demands Resignation Of "Clueless" ZIFA Normalisation Committee

FIFA is not satisfied with the reform process in Zimbabwean football and is now set to assemble a new Normalisation Committee for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/fifa-to-name-new-zifa-committee/">The Herald</a>.
The mandate of the current ZIFA Normalisation Committee chaired by Lincoln Mutasa is set to officially expire on June 30.
The Herald reported that the Normalisation Committee is set to be unveiled on July 2 and will be handed a nine-month tenure to complete the task commenced by Mutasa and his team who were appointed on 11 July 2023.
ZIFA chief executive Yvonne Manwa on Friday night told the publication that they were still to receive official communication from FIFA on the future of the Normalisation Committee. She said:
<blockquote>
We have not been informed officially of anything with respect to the Normalisation Committee.
There has been no communication as to whether there will be changes or not.
But what is common knowledge is that yes the term of office of the Normalisation Committee is coming to an end on June 30 and we will stand guided by FIFA on the next steps.
</blockquote>
FIFA head of development programmes for Africa, Solomon Mudege and director Member Associations Africa, Gelson Fernandes, are reportedly finalising their list for the new leadership for ZIFA. A source was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
FIFA had been hoping that the outgoing Normalisation Committee would have covered a lot of ground in terms of the tasks they were given when they were appointed last year.
But to the disappointment of FIFA, a lot of the work has not been done and ZIFA is not even ready for elections.
The reforms have gone on at a very slow pace and for FIFA they are looking at having another Normalisation Committee, which they hope will do a better job and address the problems that have been at ZIFA.
The names of those who are being earmarked for the Normalisation Committee are still a closely guarded secret that only those in Switzerland know about.
But there is a determination by FIFA to also make some amends by identifying a stronger team that will do far much better than what Lincoln Mutsa and his team have done.
</blockquote>
Harare businessman Nigel Chanakira is reportedly expected to be appointed as the chairperson of a new ZIFA Normalisation Committee.
The current Normalisation Committee comprises Mutasa, Rosemary Mugadza, Sikhumbuzo Ndebele, Nyasha Sanyamandwe, and Cynthia Malaba.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

FIFA Set To Appoint A New ZIFA Normalisation Committee

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Normalisation Committee has ruled out using the 10,000-capacity Huye Stadium in the city of Butare, Rwanda, for the Warriors’ next 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying home match against Lesotho in South Africa. Their reason is that the stadium is too distant from Zimbabwe.
Due to the Government’s failure to fulfil its promise of rehabilitating the National Sports Stadium to Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards, the Warriors are likely to play their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on foreign soil.
In their last home match, the Zimbabwe senior national team faced Nigeria and Rwanda at Huye Stadium in November 2023, resulting in draws for both matches.
ZIFA Normalisation Committee Chairperson Lincoln Mutasa told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/sport/article/200025211/homeless-warriors-look-to-sa">NewsDay</a> that they are actively exploring venues within the southern African region to host their upcoming home match. Said Mutasa:
<blockquote>
CAF required us to suggest a venue by March 27 and by that time no local ground had been approved by the continental football governing body to host matches, so we were left with no option but to play our match away.
However, having played our first home matches in Rwanda since being readmitted back into international football, we felt Rwanda is a bit far and we are looking at venues around SADC [Southern African Development Community] and will make it public once all the necessary modalities have been carried out.
</blockquote>
The government assured that the Warriors would host their upcoming home matches at the National Sports Stadium.
However, despite the facility being closed for renovations, no efforts have been made to bring the stadium up to the necessary standards.
This week, a widely circulated image on social media revealed the neglected state of the facility’s dried-out grass.
Over the past few decades, Zimbabwe’s public infrastructure has alarmingly deteriorated, with blame falling squarely on corrupt and ineffective public officials.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Warriors Won't Use Rwandan Stadium For Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers - ZIFA

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has accused the ZIFA Normalisation Committee of stalling progress in efforts to find a lasting solution to challenges facing local football which resulted in Zimbabwe being banned from taking part in international football for several months by FIFA.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/src-zifa-deal-on-football-roadmap-in-limbo">The Sunday Mail</a>, SRC director-general Eltah Nengomasha revealed that ZIFA NC is yet to finalise the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will pave the way for a roadmap to development. Said Nengomasha:
<blockquote>
The MoU draft was done last year and it has been about five months now but the Normalisation Committee have never bothered to respond on the matter. Specific follow-ups have been made since then but to no avail.
</blockquote>
There seems to be palpable tension between the SRC and ZIFA NC and this may attract the attention of FIFA.
Last month, SRC chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa criticised ZIFA NC for “boycotting” the commissioning of Walter Magaya’s The Heart Stadium in Waterfalls by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
However, ZIFA NC chairman, Lincoln Mutasa, claimed they had only been notified of the commissioning two days before the event.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

SRC Accuses ZIFA Of Stalling Progress On Football Roadmap

SPEECH READ BY THE NORMALISATION COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON LINCOLN MUTASA FOR A MEDIA BRIEFING ON 12 JANUARY 2024
INTRODUCTION
A good afternoon to you all. I would like to thank members of the media for heeding our invitation to this media briefing.
It is important in many respects, but mostly because it marks the beginning of the symbiotic relations that we want to nurture going forward.
As the NC, we believe this is a national project, and no-one has a monopoly on information. We understand the important role that the media play in spreading the game of football to every ear and eye nationwide and abroad.
The first six months focussed on internal analysis and of course, it took longer than we expected. The rest of our tenure will be on building football from the grassroots to the formulation of the congress
It is important that you get the picture of what we have done since our appointment in July 2023, where we are now, and what we intend to accomplish before paving the way for the election of a board.
Despite the obvious challenges that we have faced, we have managed to accomplish notable things to set the tone for the critical period ahead.
HOSTING AFRICAN SCHOOLS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
One of the greatest highlights of our first five months was the hosting of the African Schools Football Championship (ASFC) for 12- to 15-year-old boys and girls from 14 to 16 December 2023.
To host such a successful regional event so soon after our return demonstrated how capable we are as a nation.
It gave us an opportunity to enhance our relations with different stakeholder groups, especially the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The best part of hosting the ASFC games involved the ancillary programmes that were held to benefit Zimbabweans. Programmes availed are:
<ul>
<li>Young referees’ course</li>
<li>Young Reporters’ workshop</li>
<li>Grassroots festival at Mbare High School</li>
<li>Safeguarding workshop</li>
<li>CAF D licence</li>
</ul>
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFIERS/COMPETITIONS
One of the greatest tests that we faced as a new administration was to play the Warriors’ home match against Nigeria away from home.
We are glad that despite that we do not have approved stadiums at home, our players got the chance to play for their national team.
We are hopeful that the next matches in June will be played in Zimbabwe in front of our fans.
The two games showed us the great potential that Zimbabwe has to be a force on the continent.
What excited us the most was the willingness shown by several players who came to play for the Warriors for the first time (Tivonge Rushesha, Andy Rinomhota). Only the sky can be the limit on what the team can achieve.
The senior women’s team returned to international football by participating in the COSAFA Women’s Championship where they finished 3rd. Again, the performances showed that the team has so much potential to be even better.
We are going to ensure that they play as many games as possible this year so that they can fare better in future competitions.
APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL TEAMS COACHES
The NC appointed national team coaches to fulfil fixtures in 2023, albeit on short-term contracts due to factors beyond our control.
Our engagements with the Warriors technical team headed by Mr Baltemar Brito ended on 31 December.
That is the same situation with Mr Shadreck Mlauzi who headed the women’s team technical department.
We know that stakeholders are eagerly waiting for the announcement of the coaches. The good news is that we are nearing completion of the recruitment process and the names will be revealed in the next few weeks.
WORKING WITH LEGENDS
Inclusivity is one thing that we value so much and we started implementing it by forging close relations with legends of the game.
For our two FIFA World Cup qualifiers, we brought on board as ambassadors, former Warriors captain Peter Ndlovu, Moses Chunga, and Desmond Maringwa who is also the president of the Footballers’ Union of Zimbabwe.
We strongly believe that legends have a vital role to play in the continued improvement of Zimbabwean football because they have walked the path before.
This is also the trend at both the Confederation of African Football and the Federation of International Football Associations.
CONSTITUTION REVIEW
A critical part of the NC’s mandate is reviewing the legal instruments of ZIFA, especially the constitution and the electoral code.
We have had round table discussions with several stakeholder groups to get insights on areas that need attention.
We are now seized with the formulation of the committee that will assist us in tackling that task.
Once that is done, we will then be able to hold an Annual General Meeting to formalize everything needed to hold fresh elections in an enabling environment.
CLUB LICENSING WORKSHOP
With the assistance of FIFA, we held a club licensing workshop for elite men’s teams to assess the suitability of current competition standards.
Several anomalies were noted and the highest coaching qualification for Premier Soccer League coaches was reduced from CAF A to B.
The NC will continue to consult stakeholders to ensure that competition standards for all tiers are in line with our realities.
STAFFING OF WOMEN’S DESK 
We have decided to shift the organisational mindset and this has started with the whole secretariat. To match the global growth of women’s football, we recently recruited a Women’s Football Officer.
She will spearhead the implementation of our women’s football strategy in line with CAF and FIFA guidelines on how to grow the game.
There is definitely going to be a revamp of women’s football this season across all leagues.
CONCLUSION
Our agenda is football, and that is what we want to solely focus on going forward without dwelling on distractions.
Football players have a 10-year life span to build brands. We like to see these players making more headlines than us.
No particular path is correct, but eventually the goal is to get things done to the satisfaction of everyone.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIFA Normalisation Committee Statement On 12 January 2024 | Full Text

The Zimbabwe Football Association Normalisation Committee (ZIFA NC) said it has made significant progress in implementing the FIFA-prescribed reforms before its mandate expires on 30 June 2024.
The Lincoln Mutasa-led ZIFA NC was appointed in 2022 by FIFA after the latter lifted Zimbabwe’s suspension from international football.
The ZIFA NC was mandated to restructure the ZIFA administration and review the association’s Statutes and Electoral Code to ensure compliance with FIFA Statutes and requirements.
It is also expected to act as an electoral committee to organise and conduct elections to establish a new ZIFA board.
Addressing the media in Harare on Friday, 12 January, Mutasa, who was flanked by deputy chairperson Cynthia Malaba and the association secretary general Yvonne Mapika Manwa, said (<a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/?p=19327">via ZBC News</a>):
<blockquote>
From the time we entered into office, we have been seized with making sure that the internal organisation is running smoothly filling the gaps that needed to be filled and also getting a proper structure in place.
I am happy to say that we have made significant progress on that end and we can now touch on other issues that we are mandated to do.
The review process we are now getting onto will take a bit of time because of the nature of the process, it will require wide consultations among other things.
Once the constitutional process is satisfied then we are going to engage FIFA to work out a road map for elections.
So in terms of time frames I cannot give you that because that will be decided by the engagement we will have with FIFA.
</blockquote>
After the constitutional process, the NC will then engage FIFA for approval. Once approved, the electoral process will then start with elections starting from the Area Zone up to the ZIFA Board.
However, these processes are likely to go beyond 30 June when the Normalisation Committee’s mandate is supposed to end and FIFA will most likely extend the NC’s tenure.
This won’t be an unprecedented development as FIFA has previously extended the tenures of Normalisation Committees in Ghana, Namibia, Pakistan, Egypt, Trinidad and Tobago after they all failed to conclude their mandate within the stipulated timeframes.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIFA NC To Conduct Constitutional Review To Pave Way For Elections

Members of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee (NC) are reportedly divided on whether to renew Warriors coach Baltemar Brito’s contract or not.
<a href="https://www.soccer24.co.zw/2023/12/30/zifa-nc-undecided-over-brito/">Soccer24</a> reported sources as saying some members of the ZIFA NC had a discussion on Brito’s future at the recently held African Schools Football Championship.
The discussion included FIFA Forward Manager Kudzai Chitima, who has reportedly been heavily involved in key decisions made by the committee. Said the source:
<blockquote>
Three members of the Normalisation Committee and Kudzai Chitima had a discussion concerning Brito’s future at the African Schools Football Championship at Gateway High School. Clearly, they were not in agreement in terms of renewing Brito’s contract.
I’m not sure why, but it’s not everyone amongst them who believes Brito should continue as the national team coach.
Some of them (members of the NC) are also against the idea of Antonio Torres (Brito’s assistant and translator at Bosso) being part of the Warriors technical team.
</blockquote>
The publication said they could not reach ZIFA NC chairman Lincoln Mutasa on his mobile phone for a comment.
Brito was appointed national team coach in September on a short-term deal that ran concurrently with his arrangement with Highlanders, due to work permit issues.
The Brazilian’s contract expires today, 31 December amid claims that some ZIFA NC members do not want him to continue as the Warriors coach.
Brito presided over two World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria in November, picking up two points.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIFA Normalisation Committee Undecided Over Brito Warriors Future | Report

The ZIFA Normalisation Committee members boycotted the official opening of The Heart Stadium owned by the founder and leader of Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Walter_Magaya">Walter Magaya</a>. despite reportedly receiving an official invitation.
Top Government officials including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Kirsty Coventry and her deputy Emily Jesaya as well as Defence and Tourism ministers Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Barbara Rwodzi attended the ceremony.
However, ZIFA chairman Lincoln Mutasa and his deputy Cynthia Malaba as well as committee member Sikhumbuzo Ndebele did not attend the event.
Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) board chairman Gerald Mlotshwa expressed concern over the development. He said:
<blockquote>
I note that ZIFA Normalisation Committee notwithstanding specific invitations is not here representing football.
We will attend to this pettiness from the Normalisation Committee.
</blockquote>
According to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zifa-nc-snub-heart-stadium-commissioning/">Chronicle</a>,  the ZIFA NC ignored invitations from Magaya to attend the ground-breaking ceremony on 15 August when construction of the 5 000-seater facility started.
The ZIFA officials also snubbed an invitation to assess progress at the venue in September.
Meanwhile, the sacked ZIFA trio Xolisani Gwesela, Wellington Mpandare and Wilson Mutekede attended Sunday’s ceremony.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIFA Normalisation Committee Snub Magaya's Stadium Commissioning

The FIFA-appointed ZIFA Normalisation Committee says it has completed interviews for a new chief executive officer (CEO).
ZIFA has been without a substantive CEO ever since the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended Joseph Mamutse in 2021.
Mamutse was later reinstated but he never resumed his duties after he sided with the Felton Kamambo-led board which was suspended by the SRC in November 2021. His ZIFA contract lapsed on 31 August.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zifa-set-to-appoint-new-ceo">The Sunday Mail</a>, ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairperson, Lincoln Mutasa, said they expect the new ZIFA CEO to assume duties within the next two weeks. He said:
<blockquote>
Yes, we have been conducting interviews this week (last week). We shortlisted some names and then we invited people for the interviews.
After the interviews, we will now look at the results and if it is a tight race, we will go back to the candidates and ask those topping the list to come back and make some presentations, and we hope that next week (this week) we can be able to sit down with the successful candidate and table our offer and negotiate the package.
It is not always that the successful candidate will accept the offer, but we hope he or she will accept what we will table. In the event that there is no agreement, we then go to the next successful one.
</blockquote>
Initially, ZIFA had hoped to have the CEO in office by 01 October but the Committee was distracted with arranging matches for the Warriors and Mighty Warriors.
The Warriors travelled to Botswana to play a friendly match against the host nation on 30 September, while the Mighty Warriors are in South Africa for the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Mutasa declined to reveal names of those who had been shortlisted for the role but The Sunday Mail cited sources as saying the Normalisation Committee has settled for Owen Mugwagwa, Ngezi Platinum Stars’ Yvonne Mapika Manwa, Liberty Maidza and Violet Njubane of Premiership newboys Sheasham.
Njubane is believed to be the front-runner as she reportedly has the backing of FIFA head of development programmes Solomon Mudege.
If she lands the post, she will be the second female ZIFA chief executive officer after Henrietta Rushwaya.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIFA Set To Appoint New Chief Executive Officer

The ZIFA Normalisation Committee (ZIFA NC) has approached Highlanders Football Club, seeking permission to appoint their coach Brito Baltemar Jose Oliveira as the Warriors’ boss on an interim basis.
A letter dated 19 September 2023 and addressed to the Highlanders Chairman, by ZIFA NC Chairman Lincoln Mutasa confirms the interest in the Brazilian. Reads the letter:
<blockquote>
The Normalization Committee would like to request your Executive permission to engage one of your employees in the name of Brito Baltemar Jose Oliveira for a possible appointment as the interim Senior Men National Teams Coach.
Whereas he has indicated he is in permanent employ of your esteemed organization.
It is in that light of integrity we hereby pray you shall find it beneficial to release him for envisaged national duty during this interim Normalization period.
</blockquote>
Brito, who arrived in the country last year, has been fairly successful at Highlanders, with the club in second position on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table.
Highlanders were also the only team that remained unbeaten during the first half of this campaign.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zifa Latest News

Latest Jobs