Charles Westerfall has the backing of the goverment

The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has set the Fifa-ordered elections for October 11, yet the exercise could yet be derailed by the government-run Sports Commission.

Zifa is currently divided into two rival leaderships, with one headed by Vincent Pamire - who has the full blessing of both Fifa and Caf - and the other by Charles Westerfall.

The Sports Commission supports Westerfall's body and is thus threatening to use its powers against Pamire's collective.

At a parliamentary committee meeting on September 25, Sports Commission chairman Anthony Mandiwanza stated that Pamire's faction is operating illegally.

This is because Pamire's faction adopted an amended constitution at a Zifa assembly on August 30, yet the change has not yet been registered by the Sports Commission.

Sports Act

Under the goverment's Sports Act, all sports associations must have their constitution registered by the Sports Commission and it is illegal for an association to hold elections if its constitution has not been registered.

As Fifa's statutes dictate that the laws of a country must be observed, the Sports Commission can argue that the forthcoming elections will be invalid.

Yet the situation is further confused by the Zifa constitution being amended under the instructions of Fifa, and a Fifa representative was present at the the meeting where the constitution was changed.

Vincent Pamire's faction is supported by Fifa

Despite the problems, Pamire's chief executive Ndumiso Gumede says his faction is ready for the elections.

"There were only a few amendments made to the constitution, to bring it in line with the Fifa statutes, so there's no reason why the Sports Commission can't register it," Gumede said.