Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
YVONNE MAPIKA MANWA has sensationally bounced back as ZIFA general secretary (CEO), just seven months after her initial tenure at the football association had ended.
ZIFA announced yesterday that they had re-hired Manwa after a strict recruitment exercise and interviews.
Manwa had initially been hired at ZIFA in 2023 when the domestic football mother body was being administered by a FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee.
The Normalisation Committee was headed by ex-Dynamos boss Lincoln Mutasa.
During her initial stint with Manwa, she recorded several key milestones.
These include the development and adoption of a new ZIFA Constitution, the successful conducting of elections that ushered in the current executive committee, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sports and Recreation Commission, full re-staffing of the secretariat, and the launch of the ZIFA Women’s Football Strategy for 2025 to 2028. Mutasa and his Normalisation Committee handed over the reigns to Nqobile Magwizi’s ZIFA elected leadership on January 25, 2025 with Manwa staying on until December 31 of the same year to see out her contract.
Yesterday ZIFA revealed Manwa’s return via a media statement.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Yvonne Mapika Manwa as the substantive General Secretary of the Association following a competitive recruitment and interview process,’’ ZIFA said.
“Ms Mapika Manwa previously served as ZIFA General Secretary from 2023 to 2025 and returns to the role with extensive experience in football administration and governance.
“Her appointment marks an important step in the Association’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership and advance its strategic vision for the growth and development of football in Zimbabwe.
“The ZIFA Executive Committee congratulates Ms Mapika Manwa on her appointment and wishes her every success as she assumes her new responsibilities.
Although she had left office in December, Manwa had remained in the trenches of the game, with the former Ngezi Platinum Stars chief executive officer attending some high-level administration courses.
In April, Manwa was one of the participants when ZIFA scored a continental milestone, becoming the first association to stage an administrators’ instructors’ course.
Former FIFA development officer for Southern Africa Ashford Mamelodi facilitated the course at ZIFA Village, hailing it as a major breakthrough in curing what has been “Zimbabwe and African Football’s Achilles heel — the problem of governance.”
In congratulating Manwa, ZIFA also saluted their former finance director, Norman Gwangwadza, who had been heading the secretariat in the last half-year.
“The Association also extends its sincere appreciation to Mr Norman Gwangwadza, who has been serving as Acting General Secretary.
“The Executive Committee thanks him for his service and contribution to the Association.
“ZIFA looks forward to the continued support of all stakeholders as we work together to grow, strengthen and transform football in Zimbabwe,’’ added the association.
Manwa’s immediate task looks to be repositioning the secretariat and also ensuring that through the association’s structures, ZIFA deliver what promises to be riveting contests in the BancABC Roots Impact tournament and the ongoing Munhumutapa Cup competition.
