Mubaiwa survives scare

Sport
PSL Constitutional Committee yesterday declined to endorse a clause that bars candidates who have not led clubs for four years from contesting the chairperson’s position.

THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) Constitutional Committee yesterday declined to endorse a clause that bars candidates who have not led clubs for four years from contesting the chairperson’s position, throwing a lifeline to Dynamos chairman Keni Mubaiwa.

Sports Reporter

Mubaiwa, who intends to contest in next month’s elections, would have been disqualified if the clause had been included in the new constitution.

According to sources at PSL, there were shadowy plans to smuggle in the prohibiting clause.

When the Zifa Constitutional Committee adopted the mother body’s charter last year, they also left out the CAF directive which said anyone who wanted to contest the Zifa presidency should have been in the board for five years.

There were plans to include in the new PSL constitution a similar clause which would have automatically disqualified Mubaiwa from contesting.

The Harare business mogul has been at the helm of the Glamour Boys for the past three years, having previously served as vice-chairman for two years.

According to PSL chief executive officer Kenny Ndebele, the PSL new constitution was yesterday adopted after a number of deliberations were made, with the four years clause being the contentious issue.

“I can confirm that the clause that was going to bar candidates that have less than four years at the helm of their respective clubs was removed. The other notable thing that happened was the scrapping of the executive committee in the PSL. All 16 premiership chairs will constitute the board. The league’s chairman and his vice will be voted for at the forthcoming elections,” Ndebele said.

The move has seen the death of executive positions such as board member finance, competitions, legal and marketing.

“Other amendments were typographical and spelling errors, otherwise there was nothing special,” Ndebele added.

Contacted for comment Mubaiwa, said he was happy with the progress before adding that he was optimistic ahead of the March 9 elections. “We made sure that this was not going to happen. I cannot say much for now. All I am waiting for now is the verification process then we start the campaigns,” Mubaiwa said.

Football stakeholders applauded the constitutional committee for not including the clause in the new document as it was going to eliminate potential candidates from the race for the hot seat.

“We are very happy that the clause has not been factored in. It would have made the playing field uneven for one of the aspiring candidates. As it stands, the ground is even now, let the election begins.” said another stakeholder.

Mubaiwa will be facing CAPS United and PSL incumbent boss Twine Phiri for the chairman’s post, while Highlanders boss Peter Dube is unchallenged for the vice-chairman’s post.