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Senior Sports Reporter
PREMIER Soccer League (PSL) boss, Twine Phiri, is reportedly eyeing the Zifa presidency should incumbent Cuthbert Dube be ousted by the governing soccer body’s assembly at the crucial October 3 extraordinary meeting.

Dube has survived two ouster attempts and recently embarked on a whirlwind “meet the affiliates” tour widely seen as an attempt to buy their support ahead of the extraordinary gathering.

Sources said Phiri had spent two days in Bulawayo meeting leaders of PSL clubs based in the city and soliciting their backing.

“Phiri wants to take over the Zifa leadership and has informed his close confidantes of his intentions,” said the source.

However, PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele dismissed the talk as mere rumours.

“Remember that Phiri was not voted as a Zifa board member but is instead representing the PSL. As far as we know, the (PSL) board of governors have not met to recommend that he runs for the Zifa presidency. He is in that board representing the PSL,” said Ndebele.

It is believed the former Caps United president holds the key to ousting Dube as he carries 16 votes, which may be crucial in the vote.

“With that in mind, Phiri might then demand something in return for the votes,” said the source.

Other councillors, however, said such a move was tricky as Phiri’s continued leadership of the PSL was not guaranteed.

“He’s no longer Caps United president and neither is he the club chairman, so we could see some leadership changes at the PSL, which naturally will see Phiri losing his status as a Zifa board member,” said another source.

Harare businessman Farai Jere is now the Caps United president while lawyer Lewis Uriri is the club chairman.