Incumbent ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa’s spirited bid to retain his post suffered amajor blow after he was beaten by his rival Felton Kamambo in a hotly contested election where the Kamambo garnered 35 votes while Chiyangwa garnered 24 votes in what was unexpected defeat.

A two-thirds majority was  needed and Chiyangwa withdrew ahead of second round of voting. Gift Banda beats Omega Sibanda by 37 votes to 22 for Vice President position.

Kamambo’s performed a giant-killing act suprising both friends and foes .Phillip Chiyangwa who spoke exclusively to www.soka25east.com afterthe elections said “Yes I have lost the elections and I fully accept the results.That is life and I will move on to other things that I have been doing because the negativity was also too much in football”

“I want to wish the new office success and all the best in their endeavour” he added

Early last month ZIFA electoralcommittee chairman Vusilizwe Vuma wrote to Kamambo on  advising him that he was  eligible to contest in the local football governing body’s presidential elections he had been barred from contesting but FIFA intervened asking both parties to participate.

“The Zimbabwe ElectoralCommittee has noted that your appeal was not dealt with in accordance with Article 12 sub section 3 of the Electoral Code and as such you’re now eligibleto contest the elections ,” Vuma wrote in the letter to Kamambo.

Kamambo wrote to Fifa general-secretary Fatma Samoura  seeking the postponement of the Zifa executive committee elections , citing a flawed electoral process.

ExecutiveCommittee Member election results Chagonda Sugar 41 Chapeta Stanely 34 ChiwanzaRodrick 38 Machana Phillemon 41 Malandule Bryton 35 Moyo Mlungisi 33 VicePresident Banda Gift 37 Sibanda Omega 22 President Chiyangwa Phillip 24 Kamambo Felton 35

Newly elected ZIFA Executive Committee President Felton Kamambo Vice President – Gift Banda Executive Committee Members Chagonda Sugar Chiwanza Rodrick Machana Phillemon Malandule Bryton