Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Michael Nees will have no problems travelling around the country scouting for talent after he was handed a ZIFA vehicle courtesy of the goodwill that the football association is enjoying from the world governing body FIFA.
Through the FIFA Forward Programme, ZIFA technical director Jethro Hunidzarira and Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15’’ Sibanda also received cars.
There is also a vehicle for the association’s chief executive officer, better known in the FIFA corridors as General Secretary Yvonne Manwa.
With 2025 looking to be a busy year for Nees as he seeks to complete the remainder of the Warriors 2026 World Cup qualification assignments and prepare the senior team for the Africa Cup of Nations and COSAFA tournaments, the German expatriate will surely make do with his new wheels.
Nees has since his appointment to the Warriors post always expressed his desire to travel across the country to visit Premiership clubs and different teams from lower leagues, including the junior sides.
The cars are the latest in a string of benefits that have come ZIFA’s way in easily their best phase in terms of relations with FIFA, which have come during the tenure of the Normalisation Committee.
ZIFA’s FIFA Forward manager, Kudzai Chitima, also revealed that apart from the cars, Zimbabwe’s qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations were funded by the world governing body.
And the Warriors responded to the financial support by securing their spot at the 2025 Nations Cup scheduled for Morocco in December, with a game to spare.
They finished second behind group seeds Cameroon in a pool that also included third-placed Kenya and Namibia, who finished bottom.
“AFCON Qualification, that was a project supported by the FIFA Forward office,” Chitima said.
“We also purchased four vehicles under FIFA Forward funding, which we did to increase operational efficiency and also improve our brand.
“The cars are for the General Secretary, Technical Director, Head Coach, Senior Men, and Women.
“As you know, ZIFA only had one Honda Fit and a van, and it was difficult to execute some tasks due to lack of mobility,” added Chitima.
Chitima has also had a busy 2024 to reflect on, as his office was also responsible for the distribution of football equipment in some parts of the country.
“Throughout the year, courtesy of the FIFA Forward office, we have also managed to do a lot of things.
“We distributed football equipment to regions of Matabeleland North and Mashonaland West, and a schedule has been approved to distribute it to all women’s teams in the four regions in Division One.
“FIFA Football for Schools has also seen footballs being distributed in seven out of the 10 provinces so far, with every district benefiting.
“The remaining three provinces will be catered for as soon as schools open (in January),” said Chitima.
Premier Soccer League teams have also benefited from FIFA.
“Through FIFA Forward subvention funding, Premier Soccer League teams got $10 000 each in two instalments, subject to acquittals.
“Zimbabwe Women Soccer League teams also got $10 000 each.
“Women referees benefited the whole season of 2024.
“This was done to support the teams and ease their financial burden.’’
Lincoln Mutasa’s Normalisation Committee is in its final month in charge of ZIFA before they hand over the reins to a substantive executive committee and president who will be elected in Harare on January 25.
daglous masveta
