With 23 presidential candidates, Zimbabweans are spoilt for choice. But the election is a two-horse race. Nelson Chamisa replaced Morgan Tsvangirai as the main opposition leader in February. He's trying to do what his predecessor failed -- which is to wrestle power from the ruling ZANU-PF. The party also has a new leader; Emmerson Mnangagwa, who's been president since November. CGTN's Farai Mwakutuya filed this report from Harare.

Both men claim to have more to offer than their mentors. The youthful Nelson Chamisa says he represents real transformation and says its time up for ZANU PF. 

Emmerson Mnangagwa has put politics at the back seat and the economy front and center. He's repeated that mantra at dozens of ground-breaking ceremonies and to a stream of foreign investment delegations.

Billions of dollars have reportedly trickled in since he took over seven months ago.

RICHARD MAHOMVA POLITICAL ANALYST "ZANU PF has pledged to create a free market economy. There is much confidence in the establishment. Where ZANU PF is, is where capital is, so I strongly believe in terms of the economic clout ZANU PF might take the lead as things stand."

But critics say no real investment commitments will be made on the eve of an election.

BARNABAS THONDHLANA VETERAN JOURNALIST "We have heard of these mega deals for a long time even when Mugabe was in office. We were promised heaven on earth."

Nelson Chamisa has been appealing to youths who make up the majority of the estimated 5 million prospective voters.

VINCE MUSEWE ECONOMIC ANALYST "The MDC alliance has a huge following from the younger generation who have never worked and they are saying ok maybe Nelson Chamisa is the one to create jobs."

The ZANU PF government recently opened an empowerment bank offering loans to unemployed youths. A pressing challenge that all citizens regardless of age want to see addressed is the cash crisis.

VINCE MUSEWE ECONOMIC ANALYST "The solutions coming from either side are not very clear. The opposition is saying we will remove bond notes and we will bring USD that doesn't resolve the fundamental issues. ZANU PF is saying okay we will do currency reforms where we can begin to look at our own currency but that is not a short-term solution."

That means Zimbabweans will have to be patient with whoever prevails in what's proving a close race. Farai Mwakutuya, CGTN, Harare, Zimbabwe.