FIFA engage Warriors’ quintet

Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

FIVE Warriors players including captain Marvelous Nakamba are in touch with a visiting FIFA delegation, as the world football governing body continues with efforts to promote football development in the country.

The two members on the latest assignment David Fani and Santa Rasoamahenina from the FIFA Regional Office for Southern Africa arrived in the country on Tuesday and will leave tomorrow.

They are having a series of meetings including engagements with Nakamba, Tino Kadewere, Gerald Takwara, Jordan Zemura, and Walter Musona with the players expected to represent their colleagues in airing their views on what they feel should be done to improve their international experience.

ZIFA yesterday revealed the FIFA delegation was in the country to engage the senior national team players and to discuss other critical football issues in the country.

“The (FIFA) delegation will be in Zimbabwe until the 4th of October 2024, working closely with key stakeholders to advance several important initiatives,” read a statement from ZIFA.

“This mission underlines FIFA’s continued commitment to supporting football growth in Zimbabwe, while also providing crucial guidance on key projects aimed at advancing the sport across the nation.

“ZIFA is grateful for FIFA’s support and looks forward to further collaboration to promote football development in the country.”

The delegation is also meeting members of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, whose extended mandate is set to come to an end in January next year.

ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Manwa, the association’s FIFA Forward manager Kudzi Chitima, and the association’s technical director Jethro Hunidzarira are also meeting with Botswana’s Fani and Rasoamahenina of Madagascar.

The duo is also expected to review the ZIFA Village renovation project in terms of its general scope as well as discuss the ongoing preparations for the crunch ZIFA Congress to be staged on October 18.

“During their visit, Fani and Rasoamahenina will meet with the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, ZIFA CEO, FIFA Forward Manager, and other senior members of the secretariat. Their discussions will focus on the following key agenda items:

1. ZIFA Village Renovation Project — The team will review project documentation and assist in the preparation of the project application, alongside discussions on title holding to ensure the successful renovation of the ZIFA Village.
2. ZIFA Ordinary Congress Preparations — With the ZIFA Ordinary Congress set for the 18th of October 2024, the delegation will discuss ongoing preparations to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated event.
3. Engagement with Zimbabwe Men’s National Team Representatives — The delegation will also meet with representatives from the Zimbabwe men’s national team to engage in fruitful discussions on football development and the players’ ongoing involvement in national football initiatives,” ZIFA said in a statement.

There have been suggestions, however, that ZIFA should take the presence of the FIFA pair in the country and allow them to engage with a broader section of stakeholders, who include those at the pulse of development, stadium, and infrastructure inspections.

“ZIFA needs to take advantage of such opportunities when they get FIFA officials on the ground and find ways that they meet with different facets of the game and get a full appreciation of the challenges confronting Zimbabwean football.

“A good example is the people in the First Instance Body who have the experience and should be able to give FIFA an honest perspective of some of the biggest challenges affecting football which in turn can help inform FIFA as they invest in such places like ZIFA Village and also canvass FIFA’s support to help fund construction of a stadium for Zimbabwe.

“These are some of the technocrats on the ground,” said an observer.

ZIFA are currently preparing for the Warriors’ important 2025 Africa Cup of Nations back-to-back qualifiers against Namibia with both matches set for Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa next week.

The national Under-15 squads for Boys and Girls, are also set to travel to Namibia for the CAF Schools tournament, which starts on October 11, while the Under-20 men’s side is in Mozambique for the CAF AFCON, COSAFA qualifier.