Walter Magaya, who was disqualified from the ZIFA presidential race, was reportedly pressured to endorse Nqobile Magwizi’s candidacy ahead of the election at Rainbow Towers in Harare this Saturday.
Magaya’s disqualification came from the ZIFA Ethics Committee, which ruled that he failed to submit the required O-level certificate with five passes. He appealed the decision to the High Court, but his application was dismissed by Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Thursday.
Speaking to 73 of the 78 ZIFA councillors at his Yadah Complex on Friday night, Magaya expressed his support for Magwizi, stating that he was the most qualified candidate to lead ZIFA. He mentioned that he had been reviewing the other candidates and meeting with several influential figures since the court ruling.
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Magaya also disclosed that he had withdrawn his appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Prominent journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu suggested that Magaya was coerced into backing Magwizi due to potential criminal charges. Mathuthu claimed that Magaya had been threatened with various prosecutions, which led to his endorsement of Magwizi.
Mathuthu also raised concerns about Magwizi’s relatively low profile in football, linking his potential election to connections with businessman Kuda Tagwirei, including managing FIFA funds and stadium renovation projects.
Magaya has been the subject of several allegations, including fraud and sexual abuse, and is currently under investigation by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
Meanwhile, six candidates have been cleared to contest the ZIFA presidency, including Magwizi, Philemon Machana, Marshall Gore, Martin Kweza, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, and Twine Phiri.
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