The incoming Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president will earn an annual compensation of US$50,000 from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), marking a substantial increase from the previous US$20,000.
The adjustment was unanimously approved by all 54 CAF-member countries during their October 2023 meeting.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe described the new compensation as “insignificant” but emphasized its importance in supporting national association leaders.
Motsepe has consistently advocated for better remuneration for association heads, many of whom lack the resources to sustain their roles independently.
“It’s unfair for some presidents to run member associations out of their own pockets,” said Motsepe, who has championed improved support since assuming office.
Other CAF officials also received salary hikes. Vice presidents and executive committee members now earn an additional US$20,000 annually, while presidents of zonal bodies such as COSAFA and CECAFA saw increments of US$25,000.
The CAF resolution also established a US$50,000 annual package for the chairman of the newly created African Clubs Association.
ZIFA has been under the stewardship of a Normalisation Committee chaired by Lincoln Mutasa for the past two years.
The upcoming elections are expected to bring significant change. Six candidates – Philemon Machana, Martin Kweza, Nqobile Magwizi, Twine Phiri, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, and Marshall Gore – have been approved by ZIFA’s Integrity and Ethics Committee to contest the presidency.
Notably, Walter Magaya, former footballer Benjani Mwaruwari, and politician Themba Mliswa were disqualified. Magaya and Mliswa have since taken their cases to the High Court, despite ZIFA’s constitution requiring disputes to be referred to the Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS).
Meanwhile, Gift Banda, omitted from the vice-presidential race, has joined Mwaruwari in seeking recourse through CAS. For the first time, ZIFA’s constitution mandates that presidential and vice-presidential candidates possess at least five O-Level qualifications or an equivalent.
As CAF prepares for its March elective meeting, where Motsepe will seek another term as president, the developments in ZIFA signal a transformative period for Zimbabwean football administration.
The final list of candidates and voting members of the ZIFA Council is expected to be announced tomorrow, with potential surprises anticipated.