THE Heart Group founder, Walter Magaya is weighing his oppotions on whether to stand for the ZIFA presidency at the elections due early next year.
Magaya is contemplating putting his name forward for the presidency after a formal request was made by former Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League board member, Cecilia Gambe at The Heart Stadium on Sunday.
A former ZIFA congress member, Gambe asked Magaya to stand for ZIFA’s highest office just before the Heart Women’s Soccer League tournament final between Chapungu Queens versus Black Mambas Queens. The Airforce side Chapungu Queens dispatched Mambas 4-0 in the final.
“We have come as pioneers of women’s football in the country to thank you for what you have done for women’s football in the country,” said Gambe through The Heart Stadium Public Address system.
“Now we ask you as your children to stand as ZIFA president in the upcoming elections. You have no say in this matter and therefore you can not say no.”
Magaya responding to Gambe’s request said he was going to consult his family and church.
“A group comprising some pioneers of Women’s football in the country, came and requested that I should put my name into the ZIFA elections hat. I told them that I I will send the request to my family and see if they give me a nod. It is now up to my family and church to say should I proceed and also analysing if we can surely change the face of the game if we get into that position,” Magaya said.
“Another group of people came again with the same request and I gave them the same answer that I will go to my family and church to ask for their permission,” added Magaya.
When he was pressed for a time frame to give the feedback from those he will consulting: “By mid-October, I just need one or two weeks to analyze and see what is at stake, what can I change and how can I help”
Gambe is renowned in football circles for speaking her mind without hesitation which has landed her in trouble before.
In 2015 during a reception held by the then Harare Mayor, Bernard Manyenyeni in honour of the Mighty Warriors who had qualified for the Rio Olympics, she highlighted the double standards exhibited by both government and corporate world who had deserted the girls in their hour of need only to start stampeding to be associated with the Mighty Warriors because they were Rio bound.
But when the girls were indulging in sadza with matemba before matches, and not receiving their well-deserved winning bonuses, those very same people invisible.
But only Magaya stood with the girls and gave them money in their greatest time of need.
Gambe also courted some controversy in 2016 when she was a Women football executive committee member.
She was suspended by ZIFA for invading the pitch and threatening a match official, Brighton Chimene during a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between Mutare City and How Mine played at Sakubva Stadium.
