Three men, one chair, the battle to lead PSL begins

STAFF WRITER

The race to lead Zimbabwe’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) has officially begun, with three influential football administrators vying for the league’s most powerful office in what is shaping up to be a critical leadership transition for the national game.

This new chapter follows the departure of Farai Jere, the CAPS United president who opted not to seek re-election after his term expired in December last year. While Jere had initially considered contesting the ZIFA presidency, he was disqualified from that race—effectively closing that path.

Now, attention turns squarely to the PSL elections, slated for July 25, where Isaiah Mupfurutsa (Simba Bhora), Masimba Chihowa (Manica Diamonds), and Dumisani Sisale (FC Platinum) have emerged as frontrunners for the chairmanship.

Each contender brings a distinct leadership style, track record, and vision to what is expected to be the most consequential PSL election in years.

Isaiah Mupfurutsa, chairman of Simba Bhora, is no stranger to PSL corridors.

A former executive at Dynamos and a current member of the PSL Emergency Committee since 2018, Mupfurutsa blends traditional football experience with insight into emerging club models.

He confirmed his candidacy and positioned himself as a continuity candidate ready to introduce modern innovations.

“I am glad to say I submitted my papers and yes, I will be vying for the PSL chairmanship,” Mupfurutsa said. “I’ve been part of the PSL leadership for years now. From Dynamos to Simba Bhora, I’ve seen the internal workings of the league. I believe it’s time to step up—for continuity and innovation.”

Analysts point to his strong corporate background in banking and insurance as a key asset.

They argue Mupfurutsa is well-suited to unlock commercial partnerships, professionalise club governance, and stabilise the PSL’s financial footing.

Masimba Chihowa, the soft-spoken chairman of Manica Diamonds, is widely respected within league structures.

Also a member of the PSL Emergency Committee, Chihowa is viewed as a steady hand and a seasoned executive with a passion for order, compliance, and structure.

“I submitted my nomination before the deadline. I’ve been in the PSL executive setup for a long time now, and after consultations with fellow governors, I felt it was the right time to step forward,” he said.

Chihowa’s platform centres around strong institutional frameworks.

He is said to favour rigorous adherence to CAF and FIFA licensing requirements and wants to see the league’s long-term sustainability anchored in good governance.

Observers say his appeal may lie in his promise to restore administrative stability at a time of uncertainty.

Dumisani Sisale, representing FC Platinum, enters the race as a quiet but formidable candidate.

Though he maintains a low media profile, he is credited with playing a pivotal role in FC Platinum’s rise to the top of Zimbabwean football—helping implement professional systems behind the scenes.

His supporters say Sisale will focus on modernising league operations, with particular emphasis on improving stadia infrastructure, boosting digital fan engagement, and enhancing matchday logistics.

“He understands what it takes to operate at a high-performance level, and he wants to bring those standards to the entire league,” a club official aligned with his campaign noted.

Whoever takes over as PSL chairman will inherit a league facing significant structural challenges. These include deteriorating stadia that fall short of CAF benchmarks, stalled sponsorship and broadcast deals, ongoing complaints about refereeing standards, and a lack of financial fair play enforcement.

At stake is the league’s credibility and competitiveness—both domestically and continentally.

The PSL chairmanship is far from symbolic.

It is the operational and political nerve centre of Zimbabwean top-flight football.

The chairman must liaise with ZIFA, broker commercial agreements, uphold league discipline, and represent club interests while managing sometimes competing agendas.

The incoming leader will also need to navigate the complex political terrain of the 18 top-flight clubs—each with their own priorities, histories, and influence.

The July 25 election will also include contests for other executive posts, most notably the vice-chairmanship.

Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe has confirmed his bid for that position and is currently undergoing the vetting process with the ZIFA Electoral Committee.

“I have submitted my papers for the PSL vice-chairmanship, and I am now waiting for the vetting processes to take place. I’ll only speak further once my candidacy has been officially cleared by ZIFA,” Mhlophe said.

There had been speculation that Dynamos chairman Moses Maunganidze might enter the race, but by press time, he had not confirmed his intentions and was unavailable for comment.

The election will be conducted according to the PSL and ZIFA statutes, which grant each top-flight club one vote.

This ensures a tightly contested race where behind-the-scenes lobbying, alliance-building, and personal credibility will carry significant weight.

The ZIFA Electoral Committee is currently assessing whether candidates meet eligibility requirements—including the absence of any disciplinary sanctions or constitutional breaches.

According to sources in club management, governors are looking for a “practical visionary”—someone capable of addressing the league’s immediate challenges while charting a long-term growth path.

“We’ve had some progress, yes,” one club executive said, speaking anonymously, “but we need a chairman who won’t be afraid to challenge the system. Someone who can handle ZIFA, sponsors, and clubs with equal tact. That’s the leader we’re all praying for.”

Over the next few weeks, candidates are expected to privately meet with governors, unveil their manifestos, and engage in closed-door negotiations to secure the crucial votes.

The campaign is not just about personalities—it is a referendum on the state and future of Zimbabwean football.

The incoming chairman will be judged not only on vision but on the ability to deliver a functional, professional, and commercially vibrant PSL.

The challenges are daunting. But so too is the opportunity.

This election is not merely a leadership contest—it is a defining moment for the game’s rebirth.