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Online Reporter
A few months after he left Dynamos Football Club, Vincent Chawonza was appointed Beach Soccer Zimbabwe board member for development.
Many would have thought that his unceremonious departure from the club he had supported since he was five years old would dent his zeal for sport in general and football in particular. But no!
In a country where football is more than just a way of life, Chawonza has emerged as a key figure in shaping the sport’s future. From his early days going to Rufaro Stadium with his father, himself a DeMbare and Warriors fanatic, to his current role as a board member of a national association as well as being a former Dynamos executive, his passion and dedication have made a lasting impact.
Chawonza’s love affair with football began at an early age, playing with friends in the dusty streets before becoming the youngest member of Chingwena Primary School’s first team while only in Grade 5. But as he grew older, he had very little to do with the game at high school in Mutoko, instead choosing to take his talent and enthusiasm to Division Two where he earned a spot at local club GMB Pirates, before spells at Masvingo United, Shabanie, Mkwasini and UZ Stars.
After graduating from varsity with a Bachelor (Science) Degree in Business Administration, he joined his boyhood club, Dynamos as the secretary-general for development which set him on his patch in the development of football. This is where he would later become a driving force behind the scenes and grow into an administrator of note.
“I played football early on in my life and after school, I had spells with Masvingo United, Shabanie, Mkwasini and UZ Stars. After I finished varsity, I joined the corporate world and I became a part of the Dynamos administration as secretary-general for development and this is where I grew as a football administrator whose core passion was development,” Chawonza said.
After years of working behind the scenes at the Glamour Boys, Chawonza was appointed vice chairman of the club and brought with the support of the corporate world.
As the then vice chairman, Chawonza brought his corporate expertise to Dynamos, securing lucrative sponsorships and revolutionising the club’s commercial approach. His innovative strategies have since been adopted by other teams, cementing his reputation as a trailblazer in Zimbabwean football development.
“My time as Dynamos vice chairman was characterised by non-traditional arrival of corporates many of whom I’d had dealings with at business level. Funny thing is when I was appointed beach soccer Zimbabwe board member, I got more congratulatory messages from peers in the business world than I do on my birthday. The business world has also pledged to come on board and support beach soccer in Zimbabwe,” he added.
“Beach soccer is the future,” Chawonza exclaimed in an exclusive interview.
“It’s a dynamic, fast-paced game that requires skill, strategy, and physical fitness. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey.”
Chawonza’s vision for Beach Soccer Zimbabwe is ambitious. He aims to garner the corporate support needed to establish a national league, increase participation, and ultimately put Zimbabwe on the global beach soccer map. We have the talent, the passion, and the potential. Now it’s time to take it to the next level.”
When asked about the state of local football, Chawonza emphasized the need for collective effort.
“It’s sad but the local game has lost a lot of quality and this is evident in the national team’s performances. But we must work together – clubs, associations, and stakeholders – to create a sustainable, thriving football ecosystem. It’s time to put aside differences and focus on the beautiful game.”
In a radical move aimed at safe guarding the development of football in the country, he is calling for a policy shift that will put an age cap on lower leagues especially Division Two and Three.
“I see no reason why players in their late 30’s are the majority in Division Two and Three which should be used as platforms for our young players to grow as professionals and semi-professionals. It’s ridiculous to have 40-year-olds playing in these leagues,” Chawonza noted.
Over the years, he has donated sports equipment to several football academies while his company, OpenGold sponsored a Division Two tournament in Harare Province last year called the OpenGold Cup.
As devoted Christian, family man and business leader who is currently studying for his PhD in Business Leadership, Chawonza continues to drive change in Zimbabwean football, his legacy is already taking shape. He remains committed to developing the sport, inspiring future generations, and leaving a lasting impact on the beautiful game.
Online Reporter