Martin Muleya
MUTARE CITY-The ancient city of Masvingo is set to host a crucial election this Sunday to choose the ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League chairman and other board members.
Wisdom Simba, a veteran football administrator and Special Matarirano are vying for the top spot, with both candidates bringing their unique strengths and experience on the table.
Simba, a seasoned administrator with a rich history in football, started his journey in 2004 as the Buffaloes FC treasurer and later became the secretary. He joined the ZIFA Eastern Region league executive in 2007 as fixtures secretary and rose through the ranks to become secretary general in 2013.
Simba’s leadership abilities were further showcased when he replaced the late Cyril Mukwewa as Vice Chairman of the league in 2019. When the then chairman, Davison Muchena, was appointed to the ZIFA board, Simba took over as acting chairman, cementing his position as a strong contender for the top job.
“I am standing in for the elections to be held this weekend and what motivated me to contest is the fact that I have gone through the mill. My short stint as the acting chairman I have seen that I really need to do more. Since the inception of the league in 2001, it didn’t have a corporate sponsor but now I boast of having Pacific Cigarette brand. With the coming in of the sponsor we have managed to spruce up quite a number of stadiums in the region including Garwe stadium in Chivhu.
“We are currently faced with the upgrading of Tongogara stadium. Currently works are underway, turf is going to be planted soon, fence erected, changing rooms have since been completed and the water tanks are already there. I have targeted a number of venues that I feel together with the assistance of the sponsor have some facelift we are good to go. I still need time to finish what I started,” explained Simba in an interview with The Midweek Watch.
On the other hand, Special Matarirano brings a fresh perspective to the table, with a strong passion for football and a desire to drive change in the Eastern Region Soccer League. His campaign promises to revamp the league and bring in new ideas, have resonated with many stakeholders, making him a formidable opponent for Simba.
This weekend’s election is expected to be a closely contested affair, with an electoral college consisting of 24 members from across the region eligible to vote. The outcome is far from being certain, and all eyes will be on the ancient city as the football fraternity awaits the result.
As the campaigns intensify, both candidates are pulling out all the stops to win over delegates. Simba’s experience and track record is likely to be his major selling point, while Matarirano’s fresh perspective and energy could prove to be the winning formula.
