Francis Hafwiti has withdrawn from the race to lead the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and endorsed Adrian Kashala although maintaining he will support Keith Mweemba as well.
Hafwiti, an outgoing executive committee member, had filed to challenge his ex-boss Andrew Kamanga for the position of FAZ president but has now changed his mind at the 11th hour.
In a video statement, Hafwiti revealed that the reason to back out of the race was so as not to split the 86 votes. His withdrawal has reduced the number of candidates to four.
“My withdrawal is basically in the spirit of not wanting to split the votes and wishes of the people at the moment. The wishes of the people at the moment are that we must change leadership at Football House,” he said.
Hafwiti backs Kashala
Hafwiti does not rate incumbent Kamanga stating that the race is between Kashala and Lusaka lawyer Keith Mweemba
“From my interaction with the voters, this race looks clearly between Mr Adrian Kashala and Mr Keith Mweemba given the foregoing, as I withdraw my candidacy I hereby wish to endorse Mr Adrian Kashala for the position of president,” he said.
‘I will support Mweemba too’
Kashala should not feel too confident about Hafwiti’s support in that he has also revealed that he will support Mweemba.
“And since it is a two horse race, I will also support Mr Keith Mweemba, not the others,” he said.
