Aspiring ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi has proposed that the football fraternity should honour legends by establishing a Hall of Fame section in stadiums.
This section would feature seats branded with the names of icons like Peter Ndlovu, Moses Chunga, and others, ensuring their legacy is immortalised for future generations.
Magwizi said that if elected as ZIFA president, he would ensure the introduction of a new legend seat to honour those who made Zimbabwean football unforgettable. Said Magwizi:
<blockquote>
Fans could purchase tickets for these legend seats at a small extra fee, with a portion supporting the families of the players we celebrate.
Picture this: fans seated in the “Peter Ndlovu 12” or “Moses Chunga 7” seats, taking selfies and sharing memories of these legends on social media.
We’d create an atmosphere of pride, excitement, and connection in our stadiums, one seat at a time.
</blockquote>
Magwizi said this initiative wouldn’t just honour history but inspire the future. Young players would dream of seeing their name on a seat one day. He said:
<blockquote>
Every match day would become a celebration of our heritage and a reminder of what’s possible in Zimbabwean football.
Let’s celebrate our heroes, uplift their families, and unite fans under a common cause. As ZIFA President, this will be one of many steps I’ll take to restore pride and passion to our football. Together, we can make this dream a reality.
</blockquote>
Magwizi also said some stadium seats will be dedicated to people who have had an impact on football, despite not playing the game, such as commentators like Charles Mabika, as well as scouts, and football executives.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Nqobile Magwizi wants to honor football legends like Peter Ndlovu and Moses Chunga by creating a Hall of Fame in stadiums with named seats. Fans can buy tickets for these special seats to support the players' families. Magwizi hopes this will inspire young players and create pride in Zimbabwean football. He also wants to dedicate seats to other important figures in football. If elected as ZIFA president, Magwizi plans to make this dream a reality to bring passion and unity to the sport.

Magwizi Proposes Hall Of Fame In Stadiums For Football Legends

Aspiring Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president, Gift Banda (54), was arrested on Thursday on charges of forging an Ordinary Level certificate.
As reported by the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/gift-banda-arrested-over-fake-o-level-certificate/">Chronicle</a>, Banda, a former ZIFA vice-president and interim president, was taken into custody and spent the night at Western Commonage Police Station, where he assisted with investigations.
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Banda, also a former Bulawayo councillor and deputy mayor, is facing allegations of forgery.
The forged document claims that Banda passed the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) tests in 1986 at Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo.
However, at that time, the school, like many others across the country, only offered Cambridge examinations, as ZIMSEC was not established until 1996.
Banda is among several high-profile individuals who have expressed interest in running for the ZIFA presidency in elections set for early next year.
One of the requirements for candidates is to demonstrate possession of five Ordinary Level passes, and it is believed that Banda does not meet this criterion.
In connection with the case, another individual, Anele Zikhali from Bulawayo, was also arrested on Thursday for allegedly producing the fake certificate.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Gift Banda, who wants to be ZIFA president, got arrested. He is accused of making a fake certificate saying he passed his exams in 1986. But back then, the school only did Cambridge exams, not ZIMSEC. Banda and another person got in trouble for this. To run for president, you need five O-Level passes, which Banda might not have. He is not the only one running, but he might not be able to now because of the fake certificate issue.

Aspiring ZIFA President Gift Banda Arrested For Allegedly Forging O-Level Certificate

Temba Mliswa’s ex-girlfriend, Susan Mutami, has called on football stakeholders in Zimbabwe not to elect the former legislator as ZIFA President, asserting that he lacks the decorum required for such a prestigious position.
Mutami, who is based in Australia and has a child with Mliswa, said the aspiring ZIFA President is an irresponsible father.
 In a post on X, she claimed that he has never contributed a single cent towards the upbringing of their son, Tinotenda.
She warned that voting for Mliswa could expose female soccer players and office staff to potential abuse.
Mliswa has fathered more than 12 children with various women, and his breakup with Mutami was paid out on social media. Wrote Mutami:
<blockquote>
Dear [ZIFA] I have a son with aspiring ZIFA President Temba Mliswa. I just wanted to notify u that he holds no decorum to hold such a prestigious position and is an irresponsible father.
To date, he has never contributed a single cent towards Tino’s upkeep. I’m surprised he’s even printing out t-shirts and buying you guys lunch when Tinotenda who’s now 3 years old is living at the mercy of the Australian government.
Temba Mliswa abandoned his responsibilities as a father and has no respect for women at all. He only looks after certain kids to suit a certain narrative.
You will be putting all your female soccer players and office staff at risk of being taken advantage of and before you know it, the whole team and office administrators will be pregnant by Temba.
You will make it harder for other stakeholders and foreign embassies who genuinely want to assist the football fraternity by having Dodgy characters like Temba Mliswa as your President.
Recently the Australian Government pumped money into Africa, how do u expect our Mama Cash at the embassy who has a heavy purse that can change the face of the nation’s football fraternity to sit down and have a productive meeting with Temba Mliswa? Please don’t betray Women.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Susan Mutami, who used to date Temba Mliswa, is warning people not to vote for him as ZIFA President. She says he is not a good father and has never helped raise their son. Mutami also says Mliswa has fathered many kids and does not respect women. She thinks he could put female soccer players and staff at risk. Mutami believes having Mliswa as ZIFA President could make it harder for other people to help Zimbabwean football. She wants people to think about this before voting for him.

Susan Mutami Warns Against Electing Temba Mliswa As ZIFA President

Zimbabwean football legend Moses Chunga has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding the Zimbabwe Football Association’s (ZIFA) new eligibility requirements for its chairperson.
One of the new rules is that candidates must have at least five Ordinary Level (O-Level) passes. Chunga, however, argued that footballers who fail to meet this academic benchmark should not be labelled as “madofo”—a derogatory Shona term meaning “dull” or “slow to understand.”
Rosemary Mugadza, the ZIFA Normalisation Committee (NC) member is quoted saying:
<blockquote>
I was given a chance by my parents to go to school and they made sure that I have the five O Levels.
I’m a CAF instructor, where a certain level of education is required for you to participate in terms of imparting knowledge to the other fellow females.
It’s the right time for us former footballers to enrol into night schools to get the required academics that we ought to have.
Also, if you look at the current situation that we have, the current crop of players, there are scholarships that are offered for them.
</blockquote>
ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairperson Lincoln Mutasa said:
<blockquote>
5 O levels are for seeing someone’s ability to be able to read and write, understand numbers and communicate with our principles whether at CAF or FIFA.
That’s basically the reason for that 5 O-level qualification requirement. It’s not a major hurdle, it’s a basic stepping stone only to distinguish those who can’t read and write.
</blockquote>
However, Chunga said some footballers and former footballers lack five O’Level passes not because they are “dull” or unintelligent, but because, during their teenage years, they faced the difficult choice between dedicating themselves to football or pursuing formal education.
He pointed out that many young players prioritised their athletic careers, often sacrificing their schooling in pursuit of professional football. He said (via <a href="https://nehandaradio.com/2024/11/13/zifa-widening-the-rift-with-most-fans-over-5-o-levels-and-residence-requirement/">Nehanda Radio</a>):
<blockquote>
5 0’Levels – why most footballers are without. The recent change in the ZIFA constitution which added 5 O’Levels as a requirement set the social media ablaze.
Some constructive comments and some which were labelling soccer players as “madofo.” Today I just want to let you in on the life of a footballer, where you will see why most of them do not have the 5.
Those who follow my posts know that I started playing football for Lytton Primary School B team when I was only around 8 years old.
From that age onwards football was all that mattered to me. I would spend most of my time training, and nurturing my talent.
A footballer trains their muscle between ages 6 and 18. Qualities like speed of thought, accuracy, endurance, resistance, strength and skill have to be mastered between 6 and 18. Fact.
By the time one is 18, they would have reached the end of growth. (Fact). So if one is to excel in football he has to spend most of his teenage years on the field of training.
Unfortunately, this is also the time when this same guy is needed in the classroom. In the end, he/she has to make a difficult decision, that of choosing football ahead of formal education.
Those who mix football with formal education and excel in both are the rare ones. In conclusion, let’s not be too quick to judge these footballers.
They spent hours and hours practising so that you may be entertained. Please let’s not humiliate them.
</blockquote>
Another controversial requirement for eligibility to become ZIFA president is that candidates must have been resident in Zimbabwe for at least two years prior to the election.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean football legend Moses Chunga thinks it's unfair to call footballers who don't have 5 O-Levels "madofo", which means dull. ZIFA wants its chairperson candidates to have 5 O-Levels. Others say it's important for things like communication. Chunga says many footballers had to choose between football and school when they were young. They focused on training and playing football, instead of studying. It was a hard decision for them. Let's not judge them too quickly, they worked hard for their talent. The ZIFA president also needs to have lived in Zimbabwe for at least two years.

Footballers Without 5 O-Levels Aren't "Madofo", Says Moses Chunga

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has expressed satisfaction with the amended ZIFA constitution, which was adopted at a FIFA-supervised meeting of ZIFA’s Congress on October 18.
The Congress voted 48-8 in favour of the amendments, marking a significant step forward in addressing long-standing issues within Zimbabwean football.
FIFA and CAF delegates attending the meeting commended the Congress for its renewed commitment to reforming the country’s football governance, particularly in relation to a constitution that had not been updated in over a decade.
After the ZIFA Congress ratified the amendments, the amended constitution was sent to the SRC for registration, in line with Section 29 of the Sport and Recreation Act.
The SRC’s legal team reviewed the constitution and gave their approval, allowing ZIFA to proceed with registering the document with FIFA.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/src-call-for-integrity-in-zifa-elections">The Sunday Mail</a>, SRC board chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa commended the Normalisation Committee led by Lincoln Mutasa for establishing an ethics and integrity committee that will assess the eligibility of candidates. Said Mlotshwa:
<blockquote>
The new ZIFA Constitution has been registered by the SRC, in terms of its governing Act. New ZIFA elections will be conducted under its auspices and the watchful eyes of FIFA and CAF.
I am aware that ZIFA is in the process of putting together an ethics and integrity committee to vet prospective candidates.
The SRC does not vet candidates nor will it endorse any candidate. That is a matter for the football community within ZIFA to decide without third-party interference or influence.
It is our fervent hope, as the SRC, that the composition of the ethics and integrity committee will encourage those very able former footballers, administrators and corporate leaders in our country to step up for what will, given the importance of football in Zimbabwe, be a national duty.
</blockquote>
He urged ZIFA’s electoral college to choose leaders who are honest, and respectable and can ensure credibility and accountability for the association and the country’s biggest sports code. Said Mlotshwa:
<blockquote>
We want to see selfless, hardworking and honest people at the helm of our sport.
Not shameless, self-centred, incompetent and divisive egotists, as has been the unfortunate case in the recent past.
</blockquote>
During discussions on amending the ZIFA constitution, two key clauses drew huge interest. One stipulates that candidates for the ZIFA presidency and deputy positions must hold at least five Ordinary Level passes, while the other requires candidates to have been ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe for the past two years.
Under the amended constitution, the ZIFA executive, commonly known as the board, will now have 11 members, with one of the two vice presidents having to be a woman. Article 38.1 of the new constitution reads:
<blockquote>
The Executive Committee shall consist of 11 members, at least three (3) of whom shall be women, as follows: a) one President. b) two vice presidents (1st vice president and 2nd vice president), at least one of whom shall be a woman. c) six ordinary members. d) one ex officio member representing the Premier Soccer League elected by the Premier Soccer League and ratified by the ZIFA Congress. e) one ex officio female member representing the Zimbabwe Women Premier Soccer League elected by the Zimbabwe Women Premier Soccer League and ratified by the ZIFA Congress.
</blockquote>
Articles 38.4 to 38.8 outline additional criteria for individuals aspiring to be board members. These include a requirement that all members of the Executive Committee must not have been previously convicted or sentenced for any criminal offence.
Additionally, to be eligible for election as the president of the Executive Committee, a candidate must be at least 40 years old.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The new ZIFA constitution has age, education, and residency criteria for executive committee members. The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) is happy with the changes. Candidates for top positions must have at least five O-Level passes and have lived in Zimbabwe for two years. The executive committee will have 11 members, with at least three women. Members must be honest, hardworking, and competent. These changes aim to bring credibility and accountability to Zimbabwean football. The new rules were approved by FIFA and CAF delegates. Now, ZIFA will have fair and transparent elections under the new constitution.

New ZIFA Constitution Sets Age, Education, And Residency Criteria For Executive Committee Members

Businessman and educationist Innocent Benza has ruled himself out of the race for the ZIFA presidency in the upcoming elections, which are set to take place in early 2025.
The long-awaited elections will follow the expiration of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee’s term in January 2025.
This week, ZIFA’s new constitution was officially registered by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), clearing the way for the elections to proceed.
The 54-year-old Benza, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mutasa Central (ZANU PF) and a member of the parliamentary portfolio committee on sport, revealed that he has been receiving persistent calls from the football community urging him to consider a bid for the ZIFA presidency.
Despite the pressure, Benza has decided not to enter the race. He said:
<blockquote>
Of late I have been receiving a lot of calls from stakeholders to consider running for the position of ZIFA president.
It is not something that I have been thinking about. In fact, I am ready to support whoever wants to go for it as long as they are competent and fit the required criteria.
I love football enough and becoming its leader would have been quite exciting, especially with so much support from stakeholders who are making a lot of calls for me to become the ZIFA leader.
I am really humbled to receive all those calls from key football people. It shows that, they have trust in me.
I am not entirely ruling it out but for now, I am choosing not to contest and I will support the right candidate for the post.
I have been in football administration for close to 30 years and we have also been running other sports like cricket and we have regularly provided national team players.
I hope to support the right candidate for the position based on different factors.
</blockquote>
Benza and his son Tino made history as the first— and still the only—father-son duo to play in Zimbabwe’s top-flight football league.
Benza is a prominent businessman and football stakeholder, owning several schools and football teams.
He is the proprietor of Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Herentals, which is currently in 5th place in the league standings with two matches remaining in the 2024 season.
In addition to Herentals, Benza also owns Herentals U20, which competes in the Northern Region Soccer League, and Herentals Queens, the serial champions of the Women’s Soccer League.
His football investments extend further, with four Herentals Division 2 teams based in Harare, Rusape, Kadoma, and Bulawayo.
Benza also runs a thriving academy that caters to players aged 4 to 20, nurturing young talent across multiple age groups.
Meanwhile, the race for the ZIFA presidency is heating up, with several high-profile candidates expressing interest in running.
Among them are Farai Jere, the current PSL chairman and owner of CAPS United FC; Walter Magaya, founder of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, and owner of Yadah FC; Richard Mazodze, owner of FC Wangu Mazodze in the ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League Division 1; Marshal Gore, a UK-based football administrator; and Philemon Machana, a former ZIFA executive.
Machana was recently acquitted of fraud charges, alongside fellow former ZIFA officials Felton Kamambo, Stanley Chapeta, Joseph Mamutse, and Brighton Malandule.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Innocent Benza won't run for ZIFA presidency in 2025. New elections coming soon. Sports and Recreation Commission registered ZIFA's new constitution. Benza, a businessman, received calls to run but won't. He will support the right candidate. Benza has history in football and owns many teams. Others like Farai Jere, Walter Magaya, Richard Mazodze, Marshal Gore, and Philemon Machana are interested. Machana was acquitted of fraud charges. The race for ZIFA presidency is getting competitive. More candidates are joining the race. Benza will focus on supporting youth talent in football.

Benza Announces He Won’t Contest ZIFA Presidency In 2025

Premier Soccer League boss and CAPS United president Farai Jere is reportedly planning to join the race for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president.
Although there are no official candidates yet, several potential contestants have shown interest, including UK-based Marshal Gore, former CAPS United star Alois Bunjira, clergyman Walter Magaya, FC Wangu Mazodze owner Richard Mazodze, and Zimbabwean football legend Peter Ndlovu.
The NewsHawks reported sources as saying Jere, a businessman and Murehwa West Member of Parliament, will soon make an official announcement of his candidacy.
Jere is credited with bringing stability to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and restoring order at CAPS United, leading them to the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
Jere has previously served as a ZIFA board member.
ZIFA is currently led by a Normalisation Committee appointed by FIFA to address issues within the previous administration and local football.
The ZIFA congress recently met in Harare to ratify amendments to their constitution, setting the stage for the football association’s elections early next year.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Farai Jere, the boss of the Premier Soccer League and CAPS United president, plans to run for the ZIFA president in Zimbabwe. Other potential candidates include Marshal Gore, Alois Bunjira, Walter Magaya, Richard Mazodze, and Peter Ndlovu. Jere is set to make an official announcement soon. He is known for bringing stability to the PSL and CAPS United. The current ZIFA leadership is managed by a FIFA Normalisation Committee. The ZIFA congress recently met to make changes for the upcoming elections next year.

PSL Chairman Farai Jere Set To Enter Race For ZIFA Presidency

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 President Latest News

Latest Jobs