Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) and Cosafa president Philip Chiyangwa’s rise in football administration has continued after his appointment to chair a new grouping of 31 associations on the continent.

In a meeting held at the Moroccan administrative capital Rabat, Chiyangwa was elected as the chairman of a new bloc of countries, comprising of Member Associations in COSAFA, CECAFA and the Northern Zone.

Speaking after meeting with CECAFA Chairman Mutassim Gaffer, Chiyangwa noted that the working group, comprising of 31 countries will seek to collaborate on matters of technical development, by integrating many components of their activities for synergy and progress.

“We will also act as the “army” of support to ensure the agenda of CAF President Ahmad, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, are actualized without any interference” Chiyangwa added.

Controlling 31 votes ultimately makes Philip extremely powerful, and now he’s viewed as the Chief Whip of CAF, working to mobilise voters during crucial debates and votes.

CECAFA which has been rocked by endemic dormancy, has received a fresh new lease of life from this development, as Chiyangwa is known to be quite persuasive when pursuing his agenda.