Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
STUNG by continuous shocks and disappointments on the international stage, ZIFA have decided to go back to the basics in a revolution that will see the association rolling out junior football leagues across the 10 provinces beginning next year.
Head of Technical Dominique Niyonzima, who was appointed by ZIFA recently, has unpacked his long-term strategy, anchored on ZIFA’s key priorities that include strengthening youth structures as part of the association’s commitment to building a robust foundation for the growth of the game.
He was speaking at his official unveiling yesterday.
ZIFA had for many years neglected the junior football development constituency, opting to channel all energies on the senior men’s and women’s football teams. As a result, Zimbabwean football has been reeling without a clear development path with disappointing results. FIFA released a damning report in 2022 where it stated that “ZIFA has been operating without any strategy or plan for football development.”
Niyonzima’s mandate basically encompasses defining and leading the national technical development programme, increasing player participation, enhancing youth and women’s football, strengthening coach education, and establishing a long-term player development strategy. The establishment of the junior football leagues is one of the priorities.
“In early January we are going to launch a youth competition in all 10 provinces in four age categories — under 13, under 15, under 17 and under 20, both for boys and girls — because we can’t talk about this ecosystem if we don’t have youth competition in our country,” he said. ZIFA’s skewed development system was cruelly exposed at the just-ended COSAFA Under-17 Championship hosted in Harare last week, where the team was knocked out without winning a game.
Niyonzima indicated ZIFA will also intensify the integration of the diaspora youth talent in national tournaments as part of the development programme.
“After the provincial competitions that we are launching next year, they will end up in a national tournament where we are going to scout the best players in each and every category.
“After that selection, we are going to call upon the diaspora in the same age category to play the local teams and then after playing the local players, we are going to take from both teams the best that can fit our national teams for the games that are coming.”
ZIFA acknowledged the historical challenges, including the absence of a formal long-term development plan, limited resources, and a lack of structured systems for youth leagues, scouting, coach education and sports science.
However, significant steps have already been taken, including the reintroduction of CAF coaching courses after seven years, the submission of a Technical Long-Term Development Plan, the adoption of women’s football strategies, and the launch of youth competitions across all provinces from January.
Since technical development has been identified as a central pillar for the future of Zimbabwean football, Niyonzima’s agenda will also see the establishment of regional and provincial technical directors, refresher programmes for coaches and instructors, and the creation of an online talent identification platform to ensure that every young player across Zimbabwe has a chance to be recognised. ZIFA will also roll out a national football philosophy to align youth and senior football, as well as expand partnerships with schools, academies and stakeholders.
“Today, if we count the population in Zimbabwe, it’s 16 million. I hear that there are around 18 000 schools. If we count the number of coaches, we don’t have 1 000 coaches in the whole of Zimbabwe.
