Zifa Board Wins Praise as Football Administration Seeks Renewal
- Southerton Business Times
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The newly constituted Zimbabwe Football Association board, led by Nqobile Magwizi, is earning widespread commendation from senior stakeholders as it nears its first year in office, marking what many hope is a decisive shift from years of governance crises. After a long period marked by allegations of mismanagement, corruption and weak oversight, the Magwizi-led administration is being credited with restoring discipline, improving transparency and rebuilding trust across football structures.
Magwizi’s board — comprising Kennedy Ndebele, Loveness Mukura, Brighton Ushendibaba, Tafadzwa Benza, Alice Zeure, Kudzai Kadzombe, Davison Muchena, Thomas Marambanyika, Chido Chizondo and Isaiah Mupfurutsa — has focused on institutional reform, stakeholder engagement and financial accountability. These efforts were publicly recognised at the Warriors’ send-off dinner in Harare ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, where Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe applauded the board for renewed governance standards and the restoration of credibility within Zifa.
Sanyatwe highlighted the need for cooperation between Zifa, the Ministry of Sports and the Sports and Recreation Commission, stressing that coordinated oversight is essential for building a competitive football system. He encouraged the board to sustain reform momentum, particularly in professionalising league administration, strengthening club licensing and enhancing financial reporting practices.
Parliament has echoed this support. Farai Jere, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, described the Magwizi board as a positive shift for the association. Drawing from his own experience on previous boards, he cautioned against misplaced criticism driven by social media commentary and urged constructive engagement between lawmakers, the ministry and Zifa to address issues proactively.
Both Sanyatwe and Jere used the platform to call for stronger private-sector participation, urging corporate sponsors, business leaders and philanthropists to partner with Zifa in supporting the national team’s Afcon campaign. The minister emphasised that high-level performance requires sustained investment and planning, noting that talent alone is insufficient without adequate financial backing.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has already contributed US$400,000 from his personal funds to support player welfare, underscoring the national significance placed on the Warriors’ mission. Although the government’s total budget allocation remains undisclosed, officials assert that combined public and private financing will be critical to the team’s preparations.
Zimbabwe enters the tournament in Morocco with the goal of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages for the first time. The Warriors face a demanding group featuring Egypt, South Africa and Angola, with their opening match against Egypt set for December 22. For Zifa, the tournament represents both a competitive challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate that improved governance can translate into stronger on-field performance and renewed confidence from fans, sponsors and international partners.