mbulelo smpofu
DEAR Nqobile Magwizi,
I would like to start by extending my heartfelt congratulations on your election as the new president of Zifa. Your election brings with it a renewed sense of hope for the future of Zimbabwean football. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Zimbabwean football, and with it, great hopes and expectations from the football community, players, fans, and all stakeholders. This is, indeed, an exciting moment, and it is with optimism that we look to the leadership you will provide in the years to come.
Mr President, the responsibility you now carry is immense, but it also represents a tremendous opportunity for you to walk the talk as you reshape the football landscape in Zimbabwe. I have no doubt that you know that our football industry has immense potential — full of footballing talent, which for too long, has been stifled by structural, financial, and organisational challenges.
Furthermore, football in Zimbabwe, like elsewhere in the world, is no longer just a game; it is a culture, a source of pride and an avenue for social and economic change. It has the power to unite, inspire, and transform, but only if it is managed with vision, dedication, and integrity. Yet, despite the passion and abundance of talent that exists in our nation, our football industry has struggled to reach the heights of others around the world.
As the new president of Zifa, you now have the unique opportunity to help bring about the changes necessary to not only preserve the sport but elevate it to its rightful place, one that can stand proudly alongside the top football associations in Africa and beyond.
Mr President, once again, I would like to challenge you to take bold steps in transforming Zimbabwean football into a trusted, competitive, and financially sound entity, with grassroots structures capable of competing at the highest levels. If the Dream Team era was possible, nothing then can stop our Warriors from becoming a household name again.
To contextualise my challenge to you Mr President, I want to draw you to two examples, South Africa and England, where you can draw your inspiration on how well-managed football associations can elevate the game to unprecedented levels of competitiveness, financial sustainability, and professionalism.
South Africa’s football industry is one such model you can draw inspiration from.
Despite facing its own challenges, South Africa has made remarkable strides in building a strong domestic league and grassroots initiatives through clubs and academies. Under the leadership of the South African Football Association (Safa), the country has invested heavily in grassroots football development, creating pathways for young players from the very beginning of their footballing journey. This investment in youth has yielded home-grown talent, as evidenced by the strength of South Africa’s domestic league, the Premier Soccer League (PSL), which is one of the strongest and most competitive in Africa. This has led to the rise of clubs that perform consistently well in continental competitions, like Mamelodi Sundowns, who recently dominated the Caf Champions League.
Moreover, South Africa’s integration of commercial partnerships and media rights has enabled their football industry to generate substantial revenue, which is reinvested into the game. They have built a PSL financial model that is sustainable and aligned with global best practices, driven by sponsorships, broadcasting deals, and partnerships. This has resulted in a commercially viable enterprise that supports player development, infrastructure, and club sustainability.
Similarly, in England, The Football Association (FA) has built an internationally recognised system that integrates grassroots football, youth academies, professional clubs, and national teams. Their model emphasises not only the development of elite players but also a culture of professionalism at all levels. The English Premier League (EPL), one of the wealthiest and most competitive football leagues globally, is a testament to what can be achieved when football is managed with clear strategic vision, transparent governance, and a focus on sustainable growth. The FA has also invested heavily in coaching education, ensuring that football development in England is led by highly qualified coaches who can identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level.
Mr President, Zimbabwe must not lag behind. We have the potential, the passion and the talent to build a competitive football industry. It is time for us to mirror the success of countries that have prioritised football development at every level. Every player, fan and stakeholder, yearns for the day complete sanity will reign in the football industry.
As you step into this leadership role, I challenge you to take bold steps towards creating a football ecosystem in Zimbabwe that is competitive, financially robust, thriving and sustainable. Fully aware of your glowing election manifesto and curriculum vitae, transforming Zimbabwe’s football industry will require a multi-faceted approach, beginning with strong grassroots programmes, transparent financial management, and professional governance at every level of the game.
The future of Zimbabwean football lies in its youth. This means that we must deliberately ensure that football development starts at the grassroots level, creating a system that allows young talent from all corners of Zimbabwe to be identified, nurtured, and given opportunities to rise through the ranks. By investing in football academies, schools, local clubs, and communities to foster a football culture that prioritises youth development, we can create a pipeline for young players to progress from community leagues to professional football. South Africa’s success with its youth academies is a strong example of how this model can be implemented.
Financial sustainability and independence is key to any successful football association. I have no doubt that given your resume, you will be up to this task and leave a lasting legacy. You must therefore prioritise the establishment of strong commercial partnerships, sponsorships, and media rights deals that generate revenue for the game.
This should not only benefit the national teams but also support the infrastructure needed for the development of players and the growth of clubs. South Africa’s PSL and England’s EPL are prime examples of how football leagues can be financially self-sustaining and commercially attractive. The success of these leagues is built on a foundation of strong financial planning, accountability, and transparency.
Transparency, accountability, professionalism and effective governance structures within Zifa, are paramount to earn the lost trust and interest in our local football. Bold decisions should be made in establishing transparent, accountable processes that will prioritise the long-term development of football over short-term interests. This should involve modernising administrative processes, ensuring financial accountability, and implementing strong regulatory frameworks to prevent corruption and mismanagement. Gone are the days when Zifa used to be a feeding trough at the expense of the game. Zifa should have a system of checks and balances which will help rebuild the trust of the public, stakeholders and corporate sponsors.
Your leadership must also include efforts to strengthen our domestic leagues — both in terms of quality and commercial appeal. Zimbabwe has talented players who, with the right resources and training, could compete in continental competitions and elevate the global perception of Zimbabwean football. By ensuring that our domestic competitions are well-run, well-funded, and marketed, Zimbabwe can create a football culture that attracts both fans and investment. You also need to prioritise the renovation and construction of modern football stadia, training grounds, and administrative facilities.
These facilities should meet international standards to enable both players and officials to perform at the highest level. It has never been right for our national team to play their home games in foreign countries, and the time is now for you to swiftly correct this embarrassment the nation had to endure.
A competitive league system is the backbone of a successful football nation. The Warriors, our senior national team’s performance must be at the forefront of your strategic plan. Your leadership must provide regular and competitive international fixtures, better coaching, and access to modern sports science, not the piecemeal approach witnessed in the past. The aim should be for Zimbabwe to qualify and win major tournaments like the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the Fifa World Cup regularly.
To open doors for technical support, coaching certifications, and opportunities for Zimbabwean players to compete abroad, your leadership should prioritise collaboration with international football entities. Building strong relationships with international football bodies like Fifa, Caf, and regional football associations will ensure that Zimbabwe is not isolated but integrated into the larger football community.
One of the greatest challenges facing Zifa is the erosion of trust between the association and its supporters. To rebuild the trust, your leadership should ensure greater transparency, communication, and accountability in decision-making. Engaging with fans, players, coaches, and all stakeholders in a meaningful way will foster a more positive and supportive environment for the sport.
I believe that with your leadership, Zimbabwe can rise to the challenge of building a football association that competes with the best in Africa and beyond. The road ahead will not be easy, but the rewards are immense — not only for the game itself but for the entire nation. Football has the potential to bring about real change, and it starts with you.
Once again, congratulations on your election as Zifa president. Zimbabweans across the divide look forward to seeing the bold changes you will implement and the lasting impact you will have on the future of Zimbabwean football.
Sincerely,
Kennedy Mapesa Mandaza
