FIREBAND Harare executive Leslie Gwindi yesterday picked up his nomination papers for the vacant Zifa president’s post, setting the stage for a showdown with business mogul Philip Chiyangwa who was the first to do so.

Gwindi though, chose to play down his decision to pick the forms, saying “picking up the nomination forms doesn’t formalise my candidature but yes, I’ve picked up the forms.”

He said he will be making a formal announcement in the next couple of days in Bulawayo.

“I’ll be coming down to you guys very soon for an exclusive.

“At the moment I can only confirm picking up the nomination forms which every Zimbabwean can do,” said the former Dynamos and Premier Soccer League secretary general whose last tenure in football administration was as the Harare City chairman.

Gwindi scoffed at Chiyangwa’s candidature saying the property magnate’s declaration does not mean much to him.
“His candidature doesn’t mean much really, time’s still there so why should I panic.

“I’m sure by the time we reach the deadline day, a lot of candidates would have come on board, this is football my brother,” said Gwindi who will be entering his third election as a Zifa presidential candidate, on both previous occasions losing to Cuthbert Dube.

The elections will be held on December 5 while the nomination closes this coming Thursday with a full list of candidates set to be unveiled by the nomination court on November 15.

Chiyangwa was yesterday unmoved by the imminent entry of Gwindi into the race, aptly replying;

“It’s a great show.”

The 58 councillors will elect four board members, the president and his vice while the other two board members will come from the Premier Soccer League and the Zimbabwe Women Football.

Bulawayo businessman, Omega Sibanda, despite not having picked up the nomination papers as yet, is set to retain his vice president’s post. by Sikhumbuzo Moyo.
Source: chronicle