HARARE Former CAPS United striker Charlie Jones has joined the race for the ZIFA presidency the first time a former player has challenged for the biggest job in local football.A group of ex-players met in the Midlands city of Kwekwe two weeks ago and agreed to back Jones for the top job.
All previous leaders of the country’s football association have never played football at premier league level.
The late Nelson Chirwa, Leo Mugabe, Vincent Pamire, Rafik Khan, and incumbent Wellington Nyatanga have never played football at the top level, making this the first time that a former player has thrown his name in the hat for the top job.
A Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation football analyst, Jones played football at the top level when he turned out as a speedy right-winger for CAPS United and the now defunct Arcadia United.
He earned nicknames TNT and Kabhasikoro (bicycle) because of his explosive pace during his heydays.
A former national team player Jones featured in the great CAPS United side that included players such as Stanford Stix Mtizwa and the late Joel Jubilee Shambo.
ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya said nominations for the ZIFA elections have been opened.
“Nominations for the ZIFA elections have been opened and among the candidates who have submitted their names is Charlie Jones, she said.
Other candidates who have submitted their nomination papers are incumbent Wellington Nyatanga, Public Service Medical Aid Society boss Cuthbert Dube, former Zimbabwe Crackers director Francis Zimunya and Premier Soccer League Chairman, Tapiwa Matangaidze.
Former Premiership secretary general Leslie Gwindi is also in the running for the elections scheduled for March this year.
The amended ZIFA constitution provides for 13 board members, including the second vice president.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News