Harare — The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) will now require all presidential candidates to have at least five Ordinary Level (O-Level) passes, following a unanimous vote at the ZIFA Annual General Meeting (AGM). The new rule is part of a wider constitutional amendment aimed at elevating the standards of football governance ahead of next January’s ZIFA elections.
The educational requirement is part of ZIFA’s new draft constitution, which was formally adopted at the AGM in Harare. The move is seen as a step towards professionalizing the leadership of Zimbabwean football, but it could also disqualify several hopefuls from running for the top post.
Mutasa, Chairperson of the ZIFA Normalization Committee (NC), hailed the changes as a significant milestone. “We have taken a major step towards fulfilling our mandate, as ZIFA has now formally adopted a new constitution. This positions us favorably to prepare for the elective general meeting where a new executive committee will be voted in,” she said.
The new rules come as part of ZIFA’s effort to align with international standards in sports management. Rosemary Mugadza, an NC member and former Mighty Warriors coach and captain, underscored the importance of education in football leadership. Drawing from her experience as a CAF instructor, Mugadza highlighted the necessity of academic qualifications.
“It’s time for former footballers to enrol in night schools to get basic qualifications like five O-Levels,” she said. Mugadza recalled an incident where she had to recommend an average player for a US football scholarship because the top players lacked the necessary academic credentials, further emphasizing the value of education in shaping football careers both on and off the field.
As ZIFA prepares for its upcoming elections, several candidates have already expressed interest in the presidency, including Magaya, Marshall Gore, Ellen Chiwenga, Brighton “Panjap” Ushendibaba, Richard Mazodze, and Martin Kweza. However, with the new educational standard in place, the race may narrow, with only those meeting the requirements eligible to contest.
With the new ZIFA constitution now in effect, Zimbabwean football enters a new phase of leadership. Whether the introduction of academic qualifications will lead to better governance and progress in the sport remains to be seen, but the emphasis on education marks a clear shift in the association’s priorities.
As the January election looms, the focus will now turn to the hopeful candidates, and whether they meet the criteria to steer Zimbabwe’s football future.
