“The ZIFA executive is facing a sustained and organised internal attack,” a senior official revealed. “There are councillors staying at facilities linked to an individual with influential ambitions, and they are being supported to resist almost every decision the executive tries to implement.” The same network is believed to be behind the recent uproar over the newly unveiled Warriors kit, which insiders say has been strategically amplified to portray the Magwizi-led executive as incompetent. The faction reportedly also opposed the appointment of new Warriors head coach Marian Mario Marinica, viewing it as another opportunity to stir instability.
“This is a group that has been involved in football politics before,” the insider added. “They tried to influence electoral processes in the past and are now using indirect means to frustrate the current leadership.” Attempts to seek official comment from ZIFA were unsuccessful. The individual accused of influencing this destabilisation has not responded to enquiries sent through an intermediary.
Magwizi’s resounding victory in the January 2025 election—following the SRC’s dissolution of the previous board—was widely viewed as the beginning of much-needed reform within ZIFA. However, the latest developments reflect a historical trend in which ZIFA presidents face intense internal sabotage, often fuelled by personal ambitions and political machinations. Former leaders such as Rafik Khan, Cuthbert Dube, Philip Chiyangwa and Felton Kamambo all faced similar no-confidence campaigns that cut their terms short.
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