As the football industry evolves, with football developing as one of the major employers in the country and an economic enabler for many businesses, experts say those who lead football must be equipped with the skills and experience that go beyond kicking the ball.
Soccer fans have said Zimbabwean football is yearning for corporate leadership to navigate the economic, technological and social landscape. While the love for football remains the cornerstone for one to serve effectively in football leadership, the leadership at ZIFA must possess businesses and entrepreneurship skills, coupled with the right connections at corporate and government level.
“We do not have to beat about the bush and get destructed by side shows on social media meant to discredit some candidates ahead of the January 25 ZIFA elections.
“One candidate who possesses the business acumen and football background that has passed the test is Nqobile Magwizi. In short, Magwizi epitomises the modern and relevant football administrator fit for the football business world,” wrote a blogger on social media recently.
For stadiums to develop, renumeration and conditions of service for players to improve, junior football to thrive, referees to improve their performance and get paid better, coaches to improve their standards and get paid better, women’s football to thrive in all regions, and a lot of other aspects of the game to improve, then there is a need to elect an individual who will take ZIFA as a business unit that needs resources to change the face of football in the country, argued the blogger.
“It is unfortunate that some people belive a ZIFA president is there to make offside calls or coach a football team. The ZIFA president must give policy direction in terms of football development, and all that depends on the business acumen and innovation culture given to the organisation by the president. Other technical committees will take care of other technical aspects of the game.”



