Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FORMER Masvingo City FC boss, Special Matarirano, is vying to become the next ZIFA Eastern Region chairman, and the public relations practitioner has already begun campaigning among affiliates in the region.
Matarirano, a well-known football personality, with a background in the military, public relations, media, and sports management, is intensifying his campaign efforts following the football governing body’s announcement of elections timeframes for regional and other affiliate positions.
ZIFA announcement for its elections roadmap for member associations, reads: “The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Electoral Committee wishes to inform all football stakeholders and the general public that preparations for the 2025 ZIFA Members’ Elections are officially underway.
“The elections will be conducted in full compliance with the ZIFA Statutes (adopted in October 2024) and the FIFA directive mandating democratic governance across all football structures. Guided by Article 12 (1) of the ZIFA Statutes, the electoral process will cover executive committees for:
“Men’s Regional Division One Leagues, Women’s Regional Division One Leagues, Men’s Provincial Leagues, Beach Soccer Football Association, Futsal Football Association and Area Zones. This process underscores ZIFA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in football administration, ensuring that all members are fairly represented within the association’s structures. Election Roadmap and Key Dates: The election process begins on October 6, 2025.” Be that as it may, Matarirano believes he can bring transformative leadership skills to improve the administration of the game in the region.
“I believe my career and professional background makes me the perfect candidate for this post,” he said, referring to the ZIFA Eastern Region chairmanship.
“The announcement by ZIFA of elections for affiliates is a welcome development for football democratisation. I am throwing my hat into the ring to lead the Eastern Region. For these elections, it is about defining the correct future for football in the region by voting for the right candidates, rather than voting for names on bribery tickets or one’s longevity in a position. It is now or never for the Eastern Region. The Eastern Region should follow their hearts,” he said.
Matarirano believes he can change the football governance approach in the region.
“I have the capacity to bring proper football governance to the region. The region needs football reforms, including proper developmental structures and sustainable financial structures,” he said.
Many may ask, who is Matarirano?
Matarirano is a retired major in the Zimbabwe National Army, where he served in various roles, including as a public relations officer.
He has extensive experience in public relations, having worked for, both the Ministry of Defence and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, developing public strategies and brand development.
In addition to his military and public relations background, Matarirano is a writer, with credits including newspaper articles on political and military history, as well as screenwriting credits for films like The Story of Nehanda (2021) and Lord of Kush (2019).
In sports administration, Matarirano has an extensive history in Zimbabwean football, having played for, and later managed the United Lions football team. He has also served as chairman of Masvingo City FC and as communications officer for Black Rhinos.
