Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Goodwill Zunidza
7 March 2010
Harare — CAPS UNITED president Twine Phiri was narrowly elected the first chairman of the Premier Soccer League's newly instituted board of governors, shrugging off a stiff challenge from Motor Action Football Club owner Eric Rosen.
Phiri, who jetted in from London on the morning of the election, polled nine votes in a close ballot that saw his rival snatch the remaining seven, producing a surprise outcome after Phiri had been heavily expected to virtually walk over Rosen.
Expressing his joy at getting the clubs' mandate to lead them for the next four years, Phiri unveiled a raft of measures to promote the PSL brand.
"I was in London attending the Soccerex forum on international football and we need such partnerships to boost our league.
"One thing I cannot get away from is an expatriate chief executive officer. I will soon be on the hunt for someone who can push forward our brand," said Phiri.
The new PSL boss announced the 2010 season would commence on March 27.
All 16 teams in the Premiership, including just-promoted Black Mambas, were yesterday represented at the club's annual general meeting which was addressed by the outgoing management committee's chairman, Tapiwa Matangaidze.
The treacherous nature of elections that go by secret ballot was further underlined when favourite Stan Kudenga, who was eyeing the finance portfolio, lost to unfancied Dynamos treasurer Harrison Mbewe in a vote that also ended 9-7.
The two candidates were tied 8-8 in the first round before a re-run of the poll passed the baton to Mbewe, a former Mangula (later Mhangura) and Dynamos midfielder who also worked for many years in the civil service.
Sources at the meeting told The Sunday Mail the majority of clubs had been persuaded to vote in a Dynamos representative to sit among the league's administrators.
Unopposed candidates won the other four posts on the PSL board of governors.
Highlanders chairman Temba Ndlela was officially named the league's new vice-chairman with Sihlangu Dlodlo, the Bantu Rovers chairman, becoming the secretary-general.
Cuthbert Chitima and Musa Gwasira, the respective presidents at league champions Gunners and cup winners Lengthens, are on the PSL board to oversee development and fixtures respectively.
The entire PSL board of governors will now form part of the 37-member Zifa Assembly with Phiri taking his place on the supreme Zifa board when it is constituted in three weeks' time.
From the suburban outskirts of Harare, the electoral committee moved into the city centre for the other Zifa plebiscite scheduled for yesterday.
Northern Region chairman Solomon Mugavazi retained his post after outpolling former PSL vice-chairman Willard Manyengavana by 13 votes to 8.
A total of 23 officials cast their votes in the election that saw Francis Zimunya fare poorly on his first bid to return to mainstream football after garnering only two votes.
Sween Mushonga beat Addmore Nyamuramba to remain secretary-general of the region, which has gone for four years without sponsorship and closed last season with only 11 teams participating, down from a previous high of 20.
All but two of the incumbent officials in the region were returned to office with vice-chairman Saidi Sangula and treasurer Robert Mamvura clinging on to their posts.
Media favourite John Remba lost his fixtures portfolio to little-known Farai Gwelo while Martin Kweza came in as the board member (development) in place of Liberty Maidza.
Mugavazi and Mushonga return to the Zifa board by virtue of their positions in the region.
There was hardly any ill-feeling evident among the losing candidates when the paper toured the election venues yesterday and none indicated they would appeal the results.
Eagles chairman Kudenga is believed to be in the running for a post in the Zifa board while Manyengavana also declared he was still in football.
But Nyamuramba said he was surprised local football, which has staggered for close to five years under the weight of maladministration, seemed unprepared to turn the corner.
Today the action is set for Bulawayo and Gweru for the Southern and Central Region elections.
Musa Mandaza is fighting to retain his leadership of the former against a stiff challenge from prominent businessman Omega Sibanda and Njube Sundowns director Gift Banda.
Brain Moyo is challenging incumbent Stanley Ntenezi for secretary-general while it will be a Dube duel for vice-chairman pitting Godfrey and Morgan.
Patrick Hokonya aims to become the first chairman of the Central Region if he can outpoll fellow aspirants Robert Mudzimu and Funny Mavhondo.
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