Online Reporter
Inside ZIFA
Nqobile Magwizi
IN football, hosting is never just about bringing teams together; it is about nation-building, identity and legacy.
To host is to declare ambition, to host successfully is to etch one’s name into the future of the game.
From the streets of Soweto to the floodlights of Lusaka, the African continent knows this truth well.
Now, in 2025, Zimbabwe steps onto this stage with the U-17 COSAFA tournament, which also serves as the CAF U-17 AFCON and FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers.
The significance is not merely in the matches to be played, but in what they symbolise: Zimbabwe’s readiness to write a new chapter in its football journey.
The world has seen time and again how hosting transforms football landscapes.
South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup remains the most vivid African example. Before the tournament, the nation had infrastructure that was functional, but inconsistent.
Afterwards, it boasted some of the most advanced stadiums on the continent, from Soccer City to Moses Mabhida.
The tournament left a legacy of facilities, youth academies and global respect, accelerating South Africa’s position as a continental powerhouse. But even beyond South Africa, history is replete with stories of transformation.
Nigeria’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1999: Hosting the tournament forced Nigeria to modernise stadiums across key cities. It gave rise to a golden generation of players and proved the country’s capacity to host global events. Within six years, Nigeria was back on the world stage as host of the 2003 All Africa Games.
Ghana’s 2008 AFCON: The West African nation invested heavily in its stadiums, producing venues like Baba Yara Stadium that remain hubs of both domestic and continental football. Ghana’s football momentum from hosting dovetailed with its national team’s famous 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal run.
Qatar’s early youth tournaments: Long before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar cut its teeth hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1995. That experience was the foundation of a three-decade journey that transformed the nation’s football infrastructure and reputation.
Each of these examples reveals a simple truth: Hosting accelerates football development by forcing investment into infrastructure, professional administration and international credibility.
Zimbabwe’s opportunity through COSAFA 2025 may not yet be on the scale of a World Cup or AFCON, but its impact can be just as catalytic. The infrastructure being used is CAF-certified for youth competitions, U-15, U-17 and U-20, ensuring that our young players are competing in facilities that meet international standards.
For the first time, Zimbabwe is building a foundation that is both immediate in its effect and sustainable in its long-term benefits.
This is about more than just stadiums.
Certified infrastructure improves refereeing environments, medical readiness, fan engagement and media coverage.
Every layer of the game benefits.
Youth football in particular thrives in environments where facilities match ambition, giving young stars the confidence that their dreams can take flight from home soil.
The role of partnerships cannot be overstated. ZIFA’s collaboration with private sector players marks a new chapter in football governance. No football association can succeed in isolation. It requires the injection of resources, expertise and networks that only cross-sector partnerships can bring.
By rallying together, ZIFA and its partners are demonstrating that football is both a national passion and a national project.
At the same time, the Government of Zimbabwe, Sakunda and other stakeholders deserve praise for their investment in the rehabilitation of the National Sports Stadium.
The renovation of this iconic arena is a clear signal that the State and private players see sport as more than leisure; they also regard it as a tool for youth development, national pride and international diplomacy.
A fully functional National Sports Stadium will not only host football, but can also serve athletics, cultural events and even economic activity through tourism.
Zimbabwe’s selection as host is not incidental: COSAFA and CAF do not assign tournaments to nations lacking credibility.
The decision to entrust Zimbabwe with the 2025 COSAFA U-17 tournament speaks to a growing confidence in the current ZIFA Executive Committee’s leadership.
It signals regional and continental faith that Zimbabwe is capable, dependable and prepared to meet the standards of global football.
What is at stake is more than who wins or qualifies for the next AFCON or World Cup.
What is at stake is Zimbabwe’s football identity in the modern era. Hosting can be the spark of a renaissance, a moment when the nation turns the page, positions itself for bigger tournaments and builds momentum for decades to come.
From the children who will fill the stands cheering their peers to the scouts who will discover the next football star, to the administrators who will prove Zimbabwe’s organisational capacity, the ripple effects will be profound.
The U-17 COSAFA 2025 tournament is Zimbabwe’s chance to show the region and the world that it is not merely returning to football; it is rising, investing and declaring its place as a proud custodian of the beautiful game.
Nqobile Magwizi is the president of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
