Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWEAN football could be headed in a positive direction if what is on the ground is anything to go by.
Yesterday the Zimbabwe Football Association celebrated the graduation of the National Executive Administration and Management Instructors “Class of 2026” in Harare.
Drawn from across the nation, 15 new instructors were honoured after five months of intensive training in what is Zimbabwe’s first structured national “teach the teachers” program.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, veteran African football administrator Ashford Mamelodi, who oversaw the program, said the moment was deeply personal for ZIFA.
COSAFA, Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, Premier Soccer League among other football stakeholders, attended the event.
“This new ZIFA executive makes us all finally believe that real change in Zimbabwean football has arrived,” he said.
“Their willingness to take responsibility for the country’s current predicament and come up with solutions for a way forward means a lot.”
Conducted in three phases since May 2026, the program equipped 30 initial participants with administrative knowledge, teaching methodology and presentation skills.
Of that number, only 15 progressed to the final stage in which they were divided into three teams (of five) to deliver courses in Bulawayo, Gweru and Harare.
During the courses, they were assessed on leadership, communication, content delivery and professional conduct.
“With proper deployment and continued support, these 15 will become invaluable contributors to ZIFA’s transformation and play a key role in the association’s Strategic Plan,” Mamelodi said.
Mamelodi said they will also be tasked with training Heads of Delegation and where required, serve national teams and other structures during international competitions.
“I am proposing a bold future where completing a ZIFA Administration and Management course becomes a prerequisite for election or appointment into ZIFA structures and affiliated clubs…however, I am not saying it should happen today,” added Mamelodi.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said the graduation marks the beginning of a bigger journey for Zimbabwean football as the association strives to turnaround the game.
“We continue to move forward, we are also looking at our dream as ZIFA, which is to participate in our first World Cup in 2030,” he said.
“Here, we have three key drivers that we need to pursue to be able to achieve. First we need talent, but these talents need to be administered.
“Secondly we need capacitated administrators because you have a huge impact on how well the athletes will do hence we are counting on you as we work on our Dream 2030.
“The other driver is resources and culture which again speaks to your role as the administrators, because you influence the culture that will happen within football.”
He urged the instructors to focus on the bigger picture for Zimbabwean football to develop.
“There has been ‘a lot of noise’ around football, but the Ministry has remained supportive as we are focused on driving a positive football culture and long-term development of the game,” added Magwizi.
