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I am Zimbabwe football’s best foot forward – Machana

HARARE — ZIFA presidential hopeful Phillemon Machana, believes his experience and international connections make him the best option for leading the country’s football federation forward.

Machana, who has served under former ZIFA Presidents Phillip Chiyangwa and Felton Kamambo, will face off against Nqobile Magwizi, Martin Kweza, Twine Phiri, Makwinji Soma Phiri, and Marshall Gore in the crucial election set for January 25.

His candidacy, rising from a challenging past, has passed a stringent integrity test after he and other board members were suspended by the Sport and Recreation Commission over allegations of mismanagement. Machana pointed to several key successes during his tenure, including submitting timely clean audited financial statements, consistently achieving favorable FIFA audit results, and clearing ZIFA’s USD $12 million legacy debt in 2019.

While acknowledging the difficulties of his past, Machana stressed that his record remains unblemished. “I was found to have no wrongdoing by the Zimbabwe courts, which was further confirmed by the ZIFA integrity test,” Machana explained.

He highlighted the national team’s 100% success record in qualifying for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) slots, winning the COSAFA tournament, and fulfilling all national team fixtures despite financial challenges. Additionally, Machana spoke of how he played a pivotal role in reinstating FIFA’s annual grants to ZIFA.

“These accomplishments reflect our collective commitment to ZIFA’s growth and transparency,” he said, underlining the importance of teamwork in driving success.

Machana also emphasized his unique position within international football. “I was there as a board member of finance, so FIFA President Gianni Infantino is known to me, and I have interacted with CAF President Patrice Motsepe,” Machana stated. “I am the only candidate who will get in there and get the ball rolling immediately. The others may take years to familiarize themselves, while progress will be derailed.”

A qualified Chartered Secretary with a full CIS, Machana holds a law degree with distinction, an MBA, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Leadership. His academic credentials are complemented by over 20 years of governance and business experience.

“I have served in governance and business for over 20 years, experiences that have prepared me to lead Zimbabwean football,” Machana added.

His diverse professional background spans industries such as food, motor, banking, and real estate, and he expressed his deep commitment to the growth of football in Zimbabwe. “I am deeply committed to the growth of football, bringing extensive experience to the table,” Machana said.

With a career in football administration spanning two decades, including a notable tenure as a ZIFA Board Member responsible for finance, Machana believes his dual expertise in business and football governance uniquely positions him to drive the transformation of Zimbabwean football.

On improving the country’s football infrastructure, Machana stressed the need for modern facilities. “Football in Zimbabwe deserves modern infrastructure. In the short term, we will engage with the government to speed up renovations of the National Sports Stadium (NSS). In the long term, we will seek public-private partnerships (PPPs) for the construction of new stadiums, financed through FIFA and CAF grants, with the government providing land for development. This is key to professionalizing the sport and bringing it to global standards,” he explained.

Machana’s vision also includes rebuilding and strengthening the relationship between ZIFA and the government, fostering a more collaborative environment for the sport’s advancement.

With the election set for today, Machana’s promises of development and a focus on teamwork, infrastructure, and governance reforms could resonate with those seeking transformative leadership for Zimbabwean football’s future.