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Discover why former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari was blocked from Zimbabwe FA elections, sparking debates over transparency.
Former Manchester City forward Benjani Mwaruwari has found himself at the center of a heated controversy in his bid to become the president of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
Despite his illustrious football career spanning clubs such as Manchester City, Auxerre, and Portsmouth, and a celebrated tenure with Zimbabwe’s national team, the Warriors, Benjani’s ambitions for football governance have been challenged.
An ethics committee ruling has barred the former Premier League star from contesting the upcoming January elections.
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This decision has sparked widespread debate and left Benjani’s legal team demanding transparency.
“Our client is aggrieved by your committee’s decision and he intends to appeal ... without any further delay,” his lawyers stated in a letter to ZIFA’s interim head, Lincoln Mutasa as per AP.
Here, we unpack the five possible reasons behind the controversial decision to block Benjani Mwaruwari from the ZIFA elections:
1.Eligibility criteria under ZIFA statutes
The first potential ground relates to whether Benjani meets ZIFA’s stipulated eligibility criteria.
The ethics committee has not provided detailed reasoning, but ZIFA statutes often require candidates to have prior experience in football administration.
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While Benjani is a celebrated player and coach, his administrative experience in football governance may have been deemed insufficient under the regulations.
2.Ethics committee ruling on professional conduct
Ethics committees typically assess the professional and personal conduct of candidates.
The decision to exclude Benjani might stem from concerns over his compliance with ZIFA’s ethical standards.
However, no formal allegations against him have been made public.
His lawyers have urged ZIFA to provide “full written reasons” to clarify this aspect.
3.Lack of transparency in normalization committee oversight
Zimbabwe’s football has been under the governance of a FIFA-appointed normalization committee since July 2023, following the country’s suspension due to government interference.
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The normalization committee, which oversees ZIFA’s activities, may have played a role in the ethics committee’s decision.
Critics argue that the process lacks transparency and could be influenced by internal politics rather than objective criteria.
4.Perceived competition with other candidates
Benjani’s rising popularity and reputation as a former international player may have raised concerns among certain factions within ZIFA.
Some believe his candidacy posed a significant challenge to established figures in Zimbabwean football politics.
The exclusion could be interpreted as an attempt to sideline a strong contender who advocates for progressive changes.
5.Broader issues in Zimbabwean football governance
Zimbabwe’s football governance has been plagued by controversy, infighting, and allegations of mismanagement for years.
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Benjani’s exclusion might reflect deeper systemic issues within the association, including resistance to reform.
His candidacy represented a fresh start, but entrenched interests may have preferred to maintain the status quo.
Benjani fights back
Despite the setback, Benjani has vowed to appeal the decision.
His lawyers have demanded urgent clarification from ZIFA, emphasizing that the ruling lacks a solid basis.
“We humbly request that you urgently provide us with full written reasons why your committee concluded that Mr. Benjani Mwaruwari fails to meet eligibility criteria,” the statement reads.
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As a former captain of the Warriors with 44 caps and 22 goals, Benjani’s understanding of football and his connections across the global football community make him a credible candidate for reforming ZIFA.
His exclusion has reignited calls for transparency and fairness in Zimbabwean football governance.
The January elections are pivotal for the future of Zimbabwean football.
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