By Sports writer
ZIFA presidential aspirant, Themba Mliswa believes that the local game needs a technocrat to take the sport forward.
The former Norton house of assembly representative has expressed interest in taking over the country’s top football spot.
The country has not had a substantive ZIFA board since the suspension of the Felton Kamambo led executive by the SRC in 2021.
Currently, a Normalisation committee led by Lincoln Mutasa is in charge of football affairs in the country.
Their term will end at the end of this year and the committee has been tasked with ensuring an elected ZIFA executive is in place.
As a result, there has been jostling for positions ahead of the January 18 elections.
And Mliswa has also thrown his name in the hat for the ZIFA presidency.
Other names that have been rumoured to be interested include Yadah owner Walter Magaya, Farai Jere and Mavis Gumbo.
Former ZIFA board member Philemon Machana is also on that long list of potential candidates.
And Mliswa feel this time around a sports expert or technocrat must take over the mantle.
“I stand here being a practitioner of sports with a degree in sports and fitness studies,” Mliswa told the media in Gweru on Sunday where he was selling his vision to the ZIFA councillors from the Central region.
“But I’m not seeing practitioners in sports development and football being one, where are they?.
“All these universities have got them so where are they going.It’s about time we give Caesar what belongs to Caesar.”
The outspoken politician added that he was out to block opportunists who are after enriching themselves at the expense of football.
“Would you like to go under the knife with someone who is not a surgeon or go to court with someone who is not a lawyer?
“So why are we comfortable allowing opportunist to come in. I want to block those opportunists and I think the electorate must respond to the needs of the people. I want to change the course of football, there is so much potential,” he quipped.
Alliance with Peter Ndlovu?
A couple of weeks back, Mliswa set social media ablaze after posting a picture together with former national team captain Peter Ndlovu.
He said at the moment there is nothing concrete about Ndlovu’s intentions to contest.
“If he puts in his CV i am going to work with him, campaign for him and support him,”said Mliswa.
“Equally, i am going to talk to him, see where he would like me to sit.I am comfortable anywhere it’s about serving put me anywhere and I will be effective.”
