ZIFA: New leaders treading the same rake

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

ZIFA’S decision to host a two-day player selection process for the Under-17 team ahead of next month’s COSAFA Cup competition has sparked concern among football pundits, questioning the governing body’s commitment to upholding the Warriors’ brand in international tournaments.

Despite a change in leadership, it seems that familiar flaws persist.

In what the association termed a ‘selection strategy’ for the Under-17 boys national team that will represent the nation at the COSAFA U-17 Boys Championship to be hosted in Zimbabwe from September 11 to 20, ZIFA wrote:

“In preparation for this prestigious regional tournament, ZIFA has appointed a team of experienced coaches to lead a nationwide talent identification and assessment programme. The appointed coaches are: Thulani Sibanda, Norman Edward Taruvinga, Backlyfield Chivenga and Jatson Maposa. These coaches will conduct a nationwide tour (Dates: August 18-20, 2025), assessing players who have been shortlisted for the U-17 Boys’ squad.

“The process will prioritise technical ability, tactical awareness, physical readiness, and the right mentality to compete at the highest level. ZIFA is committed to building strong and competitive national teams by implementing transparent and merit-based selection processes.”

However, the fact that this “nationwide tour” will be condensed into a mere two days, ostensibly to conduct a rigorous analysis of talent across the country, has raised eyebrows and sparked reservations about ZIFA’s genuine commitment to developing and succeeding in junior football.

Renowned Mutare player manager, Donald ‘Azuri’ Manhende said: “They (ZIFA) should bring back National Youth Games so that it will be very easy for the coaches to select players. Success does not come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently.”

Munyaradzi Zinomwe said: “This is an interesting development. Why change from the usual tournament process? Surely players for national team should be selected on merit. I doubt this new development will improve our fortunes.”

Avowed football enthusiast, Frank Bhunu, said: “This Press release from ZIFA regarding the Under-17 Boys national team selection strategy is fundamentally flawed. The notion of a “nationwide talent identification and assessment programme” led by a handful of appointed coaches over a mere two days is laughably inadequate. Such a superficial approach cannot possibly unearth the true potential of young Zimbabwean footballers.

“A genuine commitment to building a strong national team demands a far more comprehensive and rigorous scouting system. ZIFA should be actively engaging with established youth leagues and tournaments, particularly the NAPH and NASH competitions. These platforms provide a consistent and reliable source of talent, where players are tested and refined over extended periods.

“Prioritising “technical ability, tactical awareness, physical readiness, and the right mentality” is meaningless without a proper framework for identifying and nurturing these qualities.

“This selection strategy is nothing more than a superficial exercise, destined to produce a team that falls far short of its potential. ZIFA must abandon this mumbo jumbo way of selection and embrace a system based on genuine scouting and long-term player development.”

A local podcaster also queried the so called selection strategy saying: “Why are ZIFA president, Magwizi and CEO, Manwa repeatedly appointing Edward Taruvinga and Backyfield Chivenga to all national team junior teams?

“Are these two coaches untouchable at ZIFA, or is this the beginning of a new system that will be difficult to challenge? They seem to be juggling roles as head and assistant coaches of the Young Warriors, as if they are the only options the country has.

“Taruvinga was previously the head coach of the U-15 team in the CAF Schools tournament, where the Young Warriors finished third in a tournament hosted in Zimbabwe. Taruvinga and Chivenga were again in charge of the U-15 selection process, and the team lost all their group matches in Namibia. They were accused of drafting players from their academies.

“This duo was trusted to lead the U-17 squad for the COSAFA Cup last year in South Africa, and the selection process was questionable. The team, which failed to progress to the next round of COSAFA, had seven players from Taruvinga’s personal academy, disguised as Prince Edward Academy.

“The same coaches were then given the responsibility of selecting players for Sibanda, who was tasked with leading the U-20 team at regional games, and the outcome was the same. Furthermore, Backyfield Chivenga was appointed coach of the Women’s U-20 team for the World Cup qualifiers a few months ago. It is puzzling why these two coaches are being repeatedly appointed in a country that has many developmental coaches who are doing well.”

The post ZIFA: New leaders treading the same rake appeared first on herald.