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Lovemore Dube, [email protected]

THE newly constituted Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) executive committee will meet for the first time on Sunday for a crucial meeting that should shape the way forward for the game.

Zifa’s media desk confirmed yesterday afternoon that the executive committee, under new president Nqobile Magwizi, had set Sunday as the date on which they would meet to craft a pathway to take Zimbabwean football forward.

Magwizi was the overwhelming favourite, winning 66 of the 77 votes cast on January 25.

Kennedy Ndebele was elected vice president of the national association, with Loveness Mukura occupying the women’s quota for the vice presidency.

Also ushered in by the January 25 elections were board members Alice Zeure, Tafadzwa Benza, Thomas Marambanyika, Brighton Ushendibaba, and Kudzai Kadzombe.

Kennedy Ndebele

The association’s leaders will meet as part of the way forward for the new board, which takes over from Lincoln Mutasa, who has been in charge since July 11, 2023.

Following Sunday’s meeting, they will officially assume management of the association, taking over from Mutasa, whose final responsibilities included working with Rosemary Mugadza and Nyasha Samanyandwe to ensure elections were held and new management was ushered into office.

“The newly elected Zifa executive committee will have its first meeting in Harare on Sunday. This will be the first transitional step after the Normalisation Committee ceased to exist, and it will map a way forward. The executive committee will be consolidating its authority following the transitional arrangement that has been in place,” said Zifa in a statement.

They are expected to establish subcommittees to assist in running the local game.

“They are expected to set up committees to help with the administrative side of Zifa as they open a new chapter,” added Zifa.

Zifa is expected to draw on the expertise of some councillors and other stakeholders from specialised fields, including external experts.

Among the long-overdue committees is the referees’ body, previously under Norman Matemera, as well as the development, technical team, finance, marketing, legal, football history, and legacy committees.

Former Bosso secretary and committee member Nhlanhla Dube headed the technical team, which assisted in identifying personnel for national teams.

Nhlanhla Dube

Meanwhile, Zifa has encouraged clubs with women’s football teams to employ a female chief executive officer.

The association stated that this was a Fifa club licensing requirement, as all efforts are being made to ensure the growth of women’s football.

Zifa is aware of the challenges clubs face and acknowledges that many cannot afford to hire a chief executive officer. “Those with resources are expected to engage a chief executive officer. We understand that some clubs can afford it, while others cannot. In cases such as Highlanders, where a chief executive officer is already in place, they would not be required to appoint another,” said Zifa, reiterating that clubs that can afford to do so should consider hiring one specifically for women’s football.