Timothy Pemba
Zimbabwean football has entered a new era. The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) election has come and gone and the mantle of leadership now rests with Nqobile Magwizi. An Adventist known for his strong moral grounding, Magwizi’s victory has been met with cautious optimism.
While his personal values suggest a commitment to integrity, his backing by political elites raises familiar concerns about the continued entanglement of football administration with broader power dynamics in the country.
As the new ZIFA president, Magwizi inherits a football landscape riddled with challenges: allegations of forgery of qualifications among candidates, the continued capture of football structures by entrenched interests and a national game that has struggled to break free from years of administrative turmoil. The people want the game to be alive, but can Magwizi deliver? More importantly, can Zimbabwean football truly move forward if it remains tethered to the old ways of doing things?
Magwizi’s rise to the top of ZIFA has drawn attention for two key reasons. First, his background as an Adventist suggests that he brings a values-driven approach to leadership, something Zimbabwean football desperately needs.
Second and perhaps more critically, his backing by political elites signals that football remains a battleground for influence, where powerful actors seek to control the game’s structures for their own benefit. History has shown that political interference in football administration rarely produces positive results. FIFA statutes explicitly discourage government involvement in football matters, yet Zimbabwe has repeatedly found itself entangled in governance disputes that have resulted in bans and sanctions.
The question is whether Magwizi’s presidency will genuinely serve the interests of football or whether it will become another extension of political influence.
Zimbabwean football needs reform, not just new leadership. If Magwizi is to succeed, he must break away from the culture of patronage and self-preservation that has plagued ZIFA for decades.
His tenure will be judged not by his affiliations but by his ability to implement real change, one that restores the credibility of the sport and prioritises football development over personal and political interests.
The ZIFA election was not without its share of controversy.
Allegations of forgery of qualifications among some candidates once again highlighted the governance flaws within Zimbabwean football. The fact that individuals with questionable credentials were even in the running underscores a fundamental problem: the absence of a rigorous vetting process. Football administration in the modern era requires professionalism and expertise.
The days when passion alone was enough to run a football association are long gone. Football is a multi-billion-dollar industry globally and successful federations are led by individuals who understand governance, finance, marketing and player development.
If Magwizi wants to leave a lasting legacy, he must prioritise professionalism within ZIFA, ensuring that individuals in key positions are qualified and accountable.
A good starting point would be to conduct a comprehensive review of ZIFA’s structures and personnel.
Those found to have engaged in fraudulent activities must be held accountable and mechanisms must be put in place to prevent such incidents in the future. Without transparency and integrity at the administrative level, Zimbabwean football will continue to struggle.
Beyond the election, the broader issue remains the continued capture of football structures by a select group of individuals who prioritise their own interests over the development of the game.
For too long, ZIFA has been controlled by the same networks, recycling leadership and blocking fresh, innovative ideas from taking root.
This has had dire consequences. Clubs struggle financially, players remain underpaid and poorly managed and the national team is a shadow of what it could be. Meanwhile, investment in grassroots football remains minimal, meaning that the next generation of talent is not being nurtured effectively.
If Magwizi is to bring meaningful change, he must dismantle these entrenched structures and open up football administration to new voices.
He must engage with clubs, players and fans in an inclusive manner, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of Zimbabwean football as a whole.
This means adopting a transparent governance model, where financial records are made public, contracts are managed with integrity and resources are allocated equitably.
For Zimbabweans, football is not just a sport, it is a way of life.
It is the game that fills stadiums, sparks debates in homes and workplaces, and offers young people an avenue to escape poverty.
It is a tool for economic growth, capable of attracting investment, creating jobs, and strengthening national identity.
But to realise this potential, Zimbabwean football must be managed like the serious business it is. The success of modern football is built on sound governance, commercial partnerships and a clear development strategy. Countries like Senegal and Morocco have demonstrated how structured investment in football can transform a nation’s sporting fortunes. Zimbabwe must take a similar approach.
Under Magwizi’s leadership, ZIFA must focus on key areas such as financial transparency, ensuring that funds are managed responsibly and that financial reports are made public.
There is also a need for investment in grassroots development through academies and local leagues to create a strong pipeline of talent. Infrastructure improvement should be prioritised, working with the government and private sector to upgrade stadiums and training facilities. Domestic clubs should also be professionalised through improved management and commercial strategies to make them self-sustaining.
Additionally, rebuilding Zimbabwe’s relationships with FIFA and CAF will be crucial to avoiding sanctions and fostering global partnerships that can elevate the country’s football profile.
Magwizi’s election is a pivotal moment, but it is only the beginning. His leadership will be tested by the deep-seated problems that have plagued Zimbabwean football for years.
The question is whether he will be a true reformer or simply another figurehead maintaining the status quo. Zimbabwean football cannot afford another wasted opportunity.
The people want the game to be alive. They want to see the warriors qualifying for major tournaments, local clubs competing in continental competitions and young players being developed into international stars. This vision is possible, but it requires bold and decisive leadership.
Magwizi has a chance to redefine Zimbabwean football, but only if he has the courage to break away from the old mindset.
The analogy remains true: you cannot go to Canaan with an Egyptian mindset. The old ways of corruption, political interference, and incompetence must be left behind.
It is time for Zimbabwean football to enter a new era, one built on integrity, professionalism, and progress. The journey ahead will not be easy, but it is a journey that must begin now. The future of Zimbabwean football depends on it.
Timothy Pemba is a student of the Decolonisation of Africa with a deep interest in the continent’s socio-economic transformation and its role in the global landscape. He writes in his capacity; that opinions expressed do not reflect the views of any organizations he may be associated with. He can be contacted via email at [email protected]
