Football – The heartbeat of Zimbabwe

 Nqobile Magwizi

Inside ZIFA

Having finished his Form Four at Lower Gweru Adventist Secondary School, my older brother Eliphas landed a job as a temporary teacher at Gwehava Primary School in Gokwe.

With his very first salary, he bought what was then the radio of the moment – The People’s Radio – a single-frequency FM set.

On that little brick-sized marvel, weekends at home were transformed into sacred rituals.

We would huddle around it, captivated by the booming voices of Charles Mabika and the late Evans Mambara. Their vivid commentary, laced with rhythm and drama, brought football alive in ways no television ever could.

It was the year Michael Jackson’s hit-song “Bad” shook the world – and Zimbabwe too had its seismic moments.

One that still echoes in my memory was the match between Dynamos and CAPS United. Dynamos, my brother Eliphas’ pride and joy were crushed 7–0 by their city rivals.

It was more than a loss; it was a mortal wound.

When our other brother Themba, a cheeky CAPS United supporter, poked fun at the result, Eliphas, in his heartbreak, banned us from his precious radio. It was a small act, but it revealed something big: the emotional depth football holds in Zimbabwean life.

Time has long since moved on. Bhudhi Eliphas forgave us. But the sting of that match? It remains a family legend, a scar time refused to heal.

That’s the truth of football in Zimbabwe. It is never just a game. It is memory, identity, belonging. It is the sound of a crackling radio in a rural village.

It is weekend joy, heartbreak, arguments, and hugs. It is fathers and daughters, uncles and cousins, friends and strangers – united or divided for 90 minutes, but always emotionally invested.

From the dusty fields of Dotito to the towering stands of the National Sports Stadium, football is where we see ourselves. It’s our theatre, our mirror, our heartbeat.

In the past few weeks, I’ve been humbled by how passionately you’ve engaged with this column. Your responses, praise, critique, encouragement, and challenge – have shown us again how closely football is followed and how hotly it is debated in this country.

From these conversations, we take learning and we take strategy.

Today, we are turning the column over to you. You asked. We answered.

1. What is ZIFA doing to ensure our national teams, especially the Warriors and Mighty Warriors, are prepared for success, not just participation?

ZIFA is prioritising holistic team development over short-term fixes. This includes investing in qualified technical staff, enhancing coaching education to CAF and FIFA standards, and implementing structured performance programmes to improve tactical, physical, and psychological readiness.

We are expanding our talent identification network to include both local leagues and the Zimbabwean diaspora, ensuring the best eligible players are considered.

Our long-term road map provides consistent match calendars, competitive friendly fixtures, and high-performance training environments, giving the Warriors and Mighty Warriors the preparation needed to compete and succeed at international level.

2. We hear about efforts to fix football – referees, club licensing, stadiums. What’s the next concrete step to improve match-day experience and professionalism?

ZIFA recognises that professionalism must be visible both on and off the pitch. We are strengthening our administrative and technical structures to set higher operational standards, and we expect our affiliates to align with these benchmarks.

Collaborations with local authorities and stadium owners are already underway to improve playing facilities, safety, seating, and amenities.

We are also introducing measures to improve match-day organisation, from crowd management and ticketing efficiency to fan engagement activities, ensuring that attending a football match in Zimbabwe is both safe and enjoyable.

3. Many supporters feel disconnected from ZIFA. What are you doing to become more transparent and responsive to fans?

We acknowledge that past communication gaps have contributed to a sense of disconnect between ZIFA and the football community.

To address this, we have launched “Inside ZIFA” as a regular update platform, revitalised our social media channels to provide timely and accurate information, and introduced open communication channels for feedback.

In addition, we are rolling out fan engagement initiatives, including nationwide town hall meetings, visits to schools and grassroots clubs, and stakeholder briefings.

These platforms will give supporters direct access to ZIFA leadership and ensure their voices inform decision-making.

4. Youth football seems neglected. Where is the next Khama Billiat or Rudo Neshamba coming from?

ZIFA is rebuilding the youth football ecosystem through structured academy licensing, enhanced grassroots programmes, and stronger school football pathways.

A national talent identification and tracking system is being rolled out to ensure promising players are nurtured from an early age.

Plans are in motion to establish regional centres of excellence for year-round training and development, and our Women’s Football Strategy places girls’ youth football as a top priority – ensuring the next generation of Mighty Warriors is as well-supported as the boys.

5. What is your vision for women’s football over the next three years?

The Mighty Warriors deserve the same structured support and opportunities as their male counterparts.

Our three-year vision focuses on increasing visibility through consistent international participation, improving competitiveness via high-performance training programmes, and ensuring long-term sustainability through strategic funding and partnerships.

Women’s football will be fully integrated into ZIFA’s development structures, with dedicated investment in youth pathways, coaching education, and domestic competitions, ensuring that the women’s game grows in both quality and recognition across Zimbabwe.

The Road Ahead

Football is powerful because it reflects who we are and who we can become. It holds up a mirror to our past, gives voice to our present, and stirs our collective dreams for the future.

In its triumphs and trials, we find lessons that stretch far beyond the pitch.

To every fan who has stood by the game, even in its lowest moments, I say thank you. Your passion, your questions, your critiques, and your hope are the fuel that keeps this great engine of Zimbabwean football alive.

To every young player training on uneven ground with big dreams, know that you are seen and that your journey matters.

And to every coach, referee, administrator, and club official doing the hard work behind the scenes, your role is not forgotten – we rise or fall together.

We may not have fixed everything. But we have started the journey. We are building. And as we do, we are listening – more closely than ever before.

Let’s continue this conversation. Let’s walk this path together. Because when football thrives, so too does our national spirit.

Nqobile Magwizi is the president of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA)

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