Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
Zimpapers Sports Hub
“LEGACY in Motion: Driving Excellence Forward”
That is the driving theme of Nqobile Magwizi’s ZIFA leadership.
Magwizi has challenged the football family to engage in action and put to an end the rhetoric and the toxicity that afflicted the game under previous regimes.
The association’s boss made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by executive committee member Thomas Marambanyika at the ZIFA Southern Region Awards ceremony in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Marambanyika, a former Central Region vice-chairman, told guests that the Magwizi leadership wants everyone linked with the association to move out of the election mode and put shoulders to the wheel.
“Today, we assemble not merely to celebrate individual brilliance but to ignite a collective resolve. As we honour excellence from the 2024 season, let this ceremony mark the end of rhetoric and the beginning of action.
“The elections are over. The politicking is done. It is time — high time — we focus solely on one thing: WORK.
“Let me be unequivocal . . . We are not politicians; we are custodians of football. Politicians campaign perpetually — we deliver perpetually,’’ Magwizi said.
Magwizi also urged selflessness among football stakeholders and called on them to shun “ — isms a cancer in sporting circles that has derailed some organisations’’.
He spoke of his executive’s commitment to restoring pride in the Zimbabwean game after years of battering.
“To those who seek to divide us with regionalism, personal agendas, or old grievances, hear this: the new executive committee will go to the moon and back, dive to the deepest depths of the ocean, and break every barrier to restore the pride of Zimbabwean football.”
Magwizi also reiterated his call for unity, which he feels is key to ZIFA’s operations.
“But we cannot do this alone. Unity of purpose — oneness, teamwork, and collaboration — is not a suggestion.
“It is non-negotiable. Look around this room. Administrators, legends, referees, and players — we are threads in the same tapestry.
“If one thread frays, the fabric weakens. But together, we are unbreakable.”
The Harare businessman and philanthropist added that ZIFA were committed to equity; hence, they had come up with sub-committees that had taken into consideration the game’s ecosystem, geography, and competency.
“The committees we have appointed reflect every region of this nation. No voice will be silenced; no talent will be sidelined.
“But inclusion is meaningless without integrity. That is why, for the first time in our history, a female referee chairs the referees’ committee.”
He said female referees had been exploited in the game to the extent of some administrators asking for sexual favours from them.
Magwizi also spoke strongly against match manipulation, warning that his executive would not allow the national game to slip back into the era of Asiagate and Centralgate scandals.
“Under the new committee, backed by monitoring and evaluation teams, there will be zero tolerance for manipulation.
“Every decision will be transparent. Every appointment will be merit-based. We will restore professionalism, accountability, and above all, dignity to this sacred role.
“To those who fear this change: adapt or exit. Football has no room for predators.”
He also described the various members of the sub-committee, as engines of a transformation process, stressing that meetings will not be tea-drinking ceremonies but battle rooms for strategising and execution.
He emphasised that programmes will be tracked and results will be demanded.
“Feedback will be relentless. We are in transformative mode — a revolution that demands your sweat, your creativity, and your unwavering commitment.”
A FIFA delegation is set to arrive this week for an induction workshop on the new executive, amid revelations that a considerable period will be spent on governance matters. During the awards ceremony, goalkeeper Harmony Nare, who had an outstanding season with SRSL champions ZPC Hwange, was crowned Soccer Star of the Year.
He was voted alongside Mbongeni Minezhi (Bulawayo City (first runner-up), Wilfred Nzondo from Casmyn (second runner-up), Nhlanhla Fumpano (Nkayi Utd), Hopewell Moyo (Zimbabwe Saints), Thabo Sibanda (Mainline FC), Tatenda Ushe from Casmyn, Tinotenda Chitete from Nkayi Utd, Justin Kaunda from ZPC Hwange, Trevor Mugwagwa from Zebra Revolution, and Israel Mkahanana (ZPC Hwange).
