Magwizi's team wins stakeholder praise

The Nqobile Magwizi-led Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) executive is earning broad support from key institutions, including the Ministry of Sport and Parliament, amid growing optimism that the new leadership is restoring stability and credibility to local football governance.

The board, which celebrates its first anniversary next month, has been credited with improving administrative transparency and rebuilding relationships fractured over years of scandals, financial irregularities and policy paralysis that plagued Zimbabwean football.

Speaking at the Warriors' send-off dinner in Harare ahead of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe praised the board's work, saying ZIFA has begun to demonstrate renewed professionalism and strategic thinking.

Sanyatwe said progress was visible in governance, coordination and stakeholder confidence, adding that continued collaboration between ZIFA, his ministry and the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) would be critical to further reform.

"Together, these institutions are laying the foundation for a more sustainable and competitive football system," Sanyatwe said. "This progress must continue and accelerate."

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport chairperson Farai Jere also gave the board a strong vote of confidence, describing the Magwizi leadership as "a breath of fresh air" in football administration. Jere, himself a former ZIFA board member, urged critics to acknowledge progress rather than amplify challenges beyond the association's control.

"This ZIFA board is doing well," he said. "Social media criticism often misplaces blame for matters beyond ZIFA's control. We work closely with the Ministry to prevent problems before they arise."

The board includes Kennedy Ndebele, Loveness Mukura, Brighton Ushendibaba, Tafadzwa Benza, Alice Zeure, Kudzai Kadzombe, Davison Muchena, Thomas Marambanyika, Chido Chizondo and Isaiah Mupfurutsa.

With just days before Zimbabwe's Afcon opener, both Sanyatwe and Jere appealed to the corporate community and business leaders to financially support the national team, stressing that football success requires more than just player talent.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has already pledged US$400 000 from his personal funds to support player welfare, although government has yet to disclose how much will be allocated to the campaign through the national budget.

Zimbabwe heads to Morocco aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time, but faces a daunting challenge in a group that includes record champions Egypt, neighbours South Africa and Angola. The tournament runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, with the Warriors opening their campaign against Egypt on 22 December.

The upbeat mood surrounding the team mirrors the renewed confidence in ZIFA leadership  -  but as the football fraternity acknowledges, sustained governance and adequate funding will ultimately determine if Zimbabwe can convert promise into progress both on and off the pitch.