Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
SOME of Zimbabwe’s top coaches have hailed Zifa’s decision to bring in respected football expert Dominique Niyonzima as a technical consultant, calling it a major turning point for the game’s development.
Years of mismanagement and neglect had left Zifa’s technical structures in disrepair. Coaching courses were suspended by Caf after reports surfaced that badges were being handed out with no merit. The system stalled, and progress ground to a halt.
Now, with Niyonzima stepping in as Head of Technical following Jethro Hunidzarira’s underwhelming tenure, there’s renewed hope. The 62-year-old Burundian, a former Fifa regional consultant and ex-Caf deputy technical director, is set to begin a one-year term, pending finalisation of his work permit.
It’s not his first time shaping Zimbabwean football. Eleven years ago, Niyonzima led the first Caf A Licence course in the country. He returns to find a system that’s barely functional, but coaches who’ve worked with him before believe he’s the right man to fix it.
Former Warriors coaches Kalisto Pasuwa and Norman Mapeza, both of whom trained under Niyonzima, were among the first to praise the appointment.
“Dominique is a very knowledgeable and principled man. He is the kind of person our football needs for us to develop,” said Pasuwa.
“When he took us for the Caf A course, I was a bit apprehensive at first because he was strict, especially with me. I figured maybe it was because I was the national coach and he expected more from me.
“But by the end of the course, he completely changed how I approached coaching. He helped me see the game differently. We were too focused on general training until he showed us how vital specific sessions are, and the importance of detail in every aspect of coaching.”
Niyonzima’s courses in 2014 and 2015 included coaches like the late Barry Daka, John Nyikadzino, Lloyd Mutasa, Jairos Tapera, Lizwe Sweswe, Godfrey Tamirepi, Mandla Mpofu, Pearson Matipedza, Newsome Mutema, Herbert Maruwa, and Mapeza himself.
Now FC Platinum coach, Mapeza also praised the move by the Nqobile Magwizi-led leadership.
“I heard that Dominique is coming to Zimbabwe, which is very good news. He’s got a wealth of football knowledge and experience. For me, he’s in the same class as the late Mudhara Matongogere (Nelson), very sharp.
“When he took us through our Caf course, I learned a lot. I can’t speak for the others, but for me, it was a major boost,” Mapeza said.
Fifa clearly sees his value. Between 2018 and earlier this year, Niyonzima was tasked with leading development projects across 13 Central and East African countries and three in West Africa. His portfolio covered coach education, women’s and youth football, and grassroots programmes, along with elite coaching courses.
From 2006 to 2018, he was a Caf Elite Instructor and part of the team that launched Caf’s C, B, A and Pro Licence coaching courses.
It was during that time he worked with Yadah Stars coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe, who was Zifa technical director at the time.
“It’s a blessing Dominique is coming to Zifa now. Very few in Africa can match his knowledge and experience,” Jongwe said.
“Zifa must give him the freedom to rebuild the technical department. If they do, I’m confident Zimbabwe will be on a new path by the time he leaves.
“He doesn’t settle for shortcuts or low standards. I learned a lot from him.
“What he teaches, the attention to detail, the refusal to cut corners, is what most of us lack. He’s a real professional and it’s no surprise he’s a Fifa consultant.”
TelOne coach Herbert Maruwa and Triangle assistant Newsome Mutema echoed the same sentiments.
“Dominique is one of the best instructors I’ve seen. He takes his work seriously and understands the game very well. He’ll definitely make a difference,” said Maruwa. “He told us to earn our badges. They weren’t handed out.”
Mutema added, “He’s one of Africa’s most respected instructors. This appointment will boost football development. It’s the first time we’ve had a TD from outside Zimbabwe, and he brings a fresh perspective.
“He’s tough and thorough, and he’s got experience you can’t teach.”
That experience will be tested. Niyonzima steps into a fractured football landscape, with low-capacity administrators and a system in need of a reset.
But with more than 30 years working across both Francophone and Anglophone Africa, and experience at every level of the game, from grassroots to elite, Niyonzima might just be the right man at the right time.
