HARARE - The stage is seor for this weekend’s Zifa provincial elections at the weekend.
The electoral court sat on Saturday to verify the nomination papers for candidates who are vying for the executive positions of chairman, secretary and committee members.
In the Zifa, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province chairman Horace Ndubiwa will face stiff competition from his long-serving secretary-general, Washington Sithole-Chimanda.
Sithole-Chimanda, who surprised many by challenging Ndubiwa for the chairmanship post, said the experience he gathered in football administration will be key in his quest to lead the province.
“I filed my papers and I am confident I will make it. I have served in various portfolios in football and now I believe it is high time that I lead the province,” Chimanda told the Daily News on the sidelines of the Zifa regional awards ceremony at the weekend.
“Should I go in, I think this will be my last term and I want to leave a lasting mark. I think I have done enough to convince people that I am the right candidate for the job.
“Right now we are incorporating juniors into the province and we have to improve the structure because Bulawayo has a lot of talented youngsters that we must not lose. It is important that we set proper structures for the province to identify the talent.
“I believe we have to include everyone and set up a committee that can deal with sponsorship matters. We need to convince people that we are serious so that they can partner us.”
The long-serving Ndubiwa said: “I feel I still have a lot to offer. I am confident I will retain my post as the chairman.”
The elections will be held in the country’s ten provinces on the same day.
Elections for the new Zifa president and board will be hold on March 26. So far, only ex-Zimbabwe international Charlie Jones has revealed he will challenge current boss Cuthbert Dube for the biggest post in Zimbabwean football.
Meanwhile, Old Nic Mine, who won promotion into the Zifa Southern Region Division One last year, were presented with a Cuthbert Dube-sponsored shield and medals together with the runners-up, Portland Cement FC.
Lobengula Stars, coached by former Warriors midfield star Ronald Sibanda, were also presented with medals after they won promotion to play in Division Two this year along with ZRP Ntabazinduna, who were the runners-up.