The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has achieved a major breakthrough in its drive to professionalise football administration by hosting the first-ever FIFA Club Management Course in Harare on Thursday.
The two-day programme, which concludes today, has attracted administrators from the Premier Soccer League (PSL), the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), and various lower division clubs across the country.
This course is only the second of its kind in Africa, following its pilot launch in Angola last year.
Aimed at strengthening the leadership and operational capacities of local clubs, the course covers key modules such as strategic planning, financial management, marketing, governance, and club licensing — all essential pillars for aligning Zimbabwean football with international professional standards.
The sessions are being conducted by a team of seasoned FIFA experts, including Marcos Pelegrin (formerly of La Liga), Solomon Mudege (in charge of governance modules), and Davis Fani, the FIFA Lead for Africa.
ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi described the initiative as a turning point for Zimbabwean football administration.
“This is not just another workshop; it’s about shaping the future of our game. Football success is built on deliberate planning, and we want club leaders who are empowered to build sustainable systems that allow players and teams to flourish,” said Magwizi.
FIFA officials also commended ZIFA for placing education and professionalism at the heart of its reform agenda.
“We applaud ZIFA for prioritising capacity building. When we last visited, there was already a strong commitment to empower administrators, and we are delighted to see that vision realised. FIFA’s goal is to ensure African clubs are managed efficiently for long-term success,” said Davis Fani.
Participants expressed great enthusiasm about the programme, describing it as both timely and transformative.
“This course has opened our eyes to how football should be run as a business, not just a sport. We are learning modern management principles that will completely change how we operate. The knowledge we are gaining here is priceless. For women’s football in particular, understanding areas like governance and financial management will help us grow our structures sustainably,” said Ruth Mudzamiri from the Women’s Premier Soccer League. The FIFA Club Management Course ends this Friday, but ZIFA has already announced plans for more capacity-building initiatives in November, as part of its ongoing efforts to professionalise and modernise the administration of football in Zimbabwe.
