FORMER Zimbabwe Saints chairman Elliot Manduna has made an about turn and withdrew his candidature for the Zifa Southern Region chairmanship after filing his nomination papers at the Zifa Bulawayo office on Friday.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Instead, Manduna who lost in the national elections to Zifa board member (marketing) Nigel Munyati, says he is now eyeing the national elections to be held on March 29.
Manduna yesterday confirmed that he had withdrawn from the race on Monday as he has seen it fit to aim higher as is commensurate with his experience in football administration.
“I have withdrawn from the elections.
“I actually picked up my papers on Friday, the deadline and filed them on that day, but I withdrew yesterday.
“The electorate has said why don’t you go up. It is not like I was going to lose, but my experience is at a much higher level that is why I have withdrawn.
“I want to put myself where I think I will be most beneficial to football on a large scale,” he said.
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Without elaborating, Manduna said with the way things are going in the politics of football in the country, he is not ruling out standing for the presidency, but said his target was to be at the highest echelons of football administration in the country.
Former regional chairman Musa Mandaza is now tipped to win the elections to be held on February 22 as he faces one challenger, businessman Mandla Moyo of Eastgate Motor Spares.
Mandaza, who was ousted by Gift Banda in 2010 yesterday confirmed his candidature and said he had filed his papers on Friday.
“I am ready and let the people make their decision. I believe we have mature people who can stir the ship,” said Mandaza, known for the successful creation of the Zifa Central Region.
“We fought the battle and it was won.
“We are proud that we now have football in the Premier Soccer League from all over the country.
“But that was short-lived as the country faced an economic crisis in 2009, but we are here to revive it,” he said.
