By Rex Mphisa
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has assumed control of the country’s grassroots football by formal regularisation of junior leagues and soccer academies.
The move is seen as a bold step in the development of soccer and has been hailed as the ultimate pillar in turning a new page in the country’s soccer renaissance.
In an undated press statement the ZIFA Media and Communication office on Thursday said the country’s authority in soccer announced it is now in charge of soccer early development structures.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) hereby announces that, with immediate effect, all junior football structures and academies operating in Zimbabwe fall under the jurisdiction of ZIFA.”
“This directive applies to all junior leagues at Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 levels, and forms part of the Association’s ongoing efforts to standardise, regulate and strengthen grassroots and youth football development nationwide. Player Registration and competition guidelines will be released in due course,” ZIFA said.
“All junior leagues and academies will be required to register their teams through the relevant ZIFA Provincial Leagues and ensure that all players and officials are duly registered on the FIFA/ZIFA Connect system.”
It said the process is designed to safeguard young players, improve data integrity, align Zimbabwean youth football with international best practice, and create clear, credible development pathways.
In an interview last year at Dulivhadzimu Stadium Zimbabwe’s most famous soccer export and icon Peter Ndlovu said the solution to Zimbabwe’s success in soccer lies in grassroots investment.
Ndlovu who came to Beitbridge on the invite of Ziyah Media’s Schools Tournament, a grassroots tourney for secondary schools, said early soccer development in soccer can make Zimbabwe a great footbaĺling nation.
He used to host the Peter Ndlovu National Association of Secondary Heads tournament in partnership with Coca-cola.
Several soccer lovers and followers on Friday hailed the ZIFA latest stance saying this was the missing link between the mother body and the much loved but underperforming Zimbabwe Warriors.
“ZIFA’s move to formalise junior leagues and academies is a big step in the right direction. Bringing all U13, U15 and U17 structures under one system will improve player protection, data accuracy and development pathways,” said Anymore Mbedzi of Tongwe in Beitbridge.
“The key now is clear communication and smooth implementation, especially for community and rural academies. If done well, this could finally give our young players a proper, credible football journey,” he said speaking from his Australian base.
Another soccer follower who asked for anonimity likened ZIFA’s approach to how the United States of America has developed its baskeball.
“It’s similar to what’s done in the USA, with Basketball to and that’s why they are dorminant. It will also help groom high school talent and provide a pathway to a career in football. Remember nowadays sport is as good a career as any other, perhaps more than any other. Instead of just relying on academies alone, schools themselves can be typical academies. This move is revolutionary,” he said.
“It is not long before we become a household name in soccer if we start from the grassroots. We are now a nation that is speaking the soccer language because all along we have been expecting miracles without nurturing talent,” said another soccer fan.
He said the move by ZIFA is bold and should be followed up by infrastructure development to cast the net wide.
“ZIFA must itself help in the formation of many academies and rhe first port of call must be the schools. This initiative must involve primary and secondary schools and to strengthen these there is need for grassroots structures which do away with the dominence of private academies,” said.
Zimbabwe’s national teams have been rocked by scandals where player agents have been influencing the selection of the national team squads.
That scandal was amplified last year when Under 17 national champions Zezani Secondary School were overlooked in the national team selection which featured playsrs from Harare and Bulawayo schools beaten by rural Beitbridge Zezani.
The scandal caused a nationwide outcry exposing the soccer controlling body of how it was manipulated by player agents.
The new development will also control age cheats since players once registered will not be able to alter ages.
While there is no exact official registry total, Zimbabwe has a rapidly growing number of soccer academies focusing on junior development.
Prominent, active academies include Aces Youth Soccer Academy, Legends Football Academy, Real Oviedo Zimbabwe, BN Soccer Academy, Athletes Sphere Academy, and FC Porto Academy, among others.
In Matabeleland South rhe only registered a ademy is Vhembe Stars Academy of Beitbridge.
These academies, along with many smaller, local initiatives, are crucial for nurturing talent, complementing the junior structures of the 18 teams in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, such as Dynamos, Highlanders, and CAPS United.