Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
NEWLY-elected COSAFA Executive Committee member Nqobile Magwizi yesterday said the regional bloc should aspire for higher standards to turn Southern Africa into a force to reckon with in continental football.
Magwizi, who was voted into office at COSAFA’s elective Annual General Assembly in Harare yesterday, spoke passionately about the need to repackage the football product in the region so that it attracts fans and commercial partners alike.
“The moment we improve standards, even commercialising the sport becomes easier,” he said after his election.
“How is it possible that the EPL can be paying players $500 000 a week and here in Africa it’s struggling? It’s because our product is not attractive. You cannot lie to the fans and stakeholders.
“They are the ones who determine. They will not put funding into the leagues when they think these things are wrong.
“So, my plea of course, as I take my position in the executive committee, is to encourage that as a bloc, we improve our standards. We become better in delivery of the product and we build confidence with our fans and all our stakeholders.”
Magwizi also spoke about the need for professionalism and good governance in football administration.
“That’s something that is very critical that we need to look at. Because there’s always this assumption that if you go to Africa, you can drive the way through.
“We are undermined in general because there’s a thinking that things will just happen; there are no standards in Africa. But I think we need to set a new standard, for example, establishing high standards that can make our individual countries compete competitively at the highest level,” said Magwizi.
The Harare business executive was elected uncontested as one of the four Executive Committee members along with Lijane Nthunya of Lesotho, Robert Shimooshili of Namibia and Peter Simelane of Eswatini.
South Africa had initially fielded Linda Zwane for the position of Executive Committee Member, but later withdrew the candidature ahead of the vote.
As a result, all ordinary Executive Committee Member candidates were uncontested and were duly confirmed by acclamation, together with all other positions.
Following the elections, SAFA’s Linda Zwane and Angola’s Irene Gonzalez were co-opted onto the COSAFA Executive Committee.
“I am extremely happy with the trajectory that the region has taken. In terms of election by acclamation, it shows a unity of purpose as we look to the future of football,” said Magwizi.
“Football belongs to the people. It is our responsibility as an administration to protect it. Issues to do with refereeing — they are very critical, and we need to attend to that as leadership, ensuring that we have the highest standard.
“Previously we had 10 Africans representing Africa in the World Cup. Now the number is going down. Why? That’s a problem, and we need to address it as the executive committee so that our standards can be higher.”
Botswana’s Tariq Babitseng was confirmed as the new COSAFA president after he was nominated unopposed for the top post.
He is deputised by Madagascar’s Alfred Randriamanampisoa, who was also unopposed for the vice presidency and Brenda Kunda from Zambia will retain the Executive Committee seat reserved for women.
The COSAFA Congress was hailed as a success, with Zimbabwe hosting the elective indaba for the first time.
The Congress brought together representatives from the 14 COSAFA member nations, as well as invited guests from FIFA and the continental mother body CAF who were led by their president, Patrice Motsepe.
And, for Zimbabwe, the hosting of the important gathering should come as a strong endorsement of the country’s renewed place within the regional football community.
The ZIFA leadership of Magwizi has managed to turn around perceptions and to reconfigure the game, as ZIFA recovered from the ignominious FIFA ban of 2022-2023.
Magwizi said the hosting of the Congress reflects Zimbabwe’s growing involvement in regional football matters.
The regional football indaba comes just months after ZIFA successfully staged the Boys’ COSAFA Under-17 tournament, the CAF Girls’ Under-17 GIFT Cup and the CAF African Schools Football Championship finals.
In his welcome remarks yesterday, Magwizi described the occasion as an important milestone for Zimbabwean football and a reflection of the trust being placed in the country by regional and continental football leadership.
“For Zimbabwean football, this occasion carries great meaning. It is another important step in our journey of re-engagement, rebuilding and restoration,” said Magwizi.
“It reflects the growing confidence that the regional and continental football family continues to place in Zimbabwe, and it encourages us to continue working with discipline, unity and purpose.”
