ZIFA Groundbreaking FIFA Club Management Course to Modernise Local Football

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has taken a bold step towards transforming the country’s football landscape by hosting the first-ever FIFA Club Management course in Harare, a landmark initiative aimed at reshaping how local clubs are run both on and off the pitch.

The two-day programme, which kicked off on Thursday, has brought together club executives and administrators from the Premier Soccer League, the Women’s Premier Soccer League, and various lower divisions marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s journey toward modern football governance.

This is only the second time FIFA has rolled out the course in Africa, following a successful pilot edition in Angola last year. The Harare edition focuses on equipping club leaders with vital knowledge in areas such as strategic planning, financial management, marketing, governance, and club licensing all essential components of modern football management.

Leading the course is a team of FIFA experts that includes Marcos Pelegrin, a seasoned administrator formerly with La Liga; Solomon Mudege, who is conducting the governance modules; and Davis Fani, FIFA’s Lead for Africa. Together, they are sharing global best practices designed to help Zimbabwean clubs become more professional, sustainable, and competitive.

ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi described the initiative as a defining moment for local football, stressing that success on the field starts with sound management structures. “This is a watershed moment,” Magwizi said.

“We are not here for just another workshop, but to shape the future of Zimbabwean football. Success on the pitch is planned and deliberate. We want club leaders who are well capacitated because good planning helps players thrive.”

FIFA officials also applauded ZIFA’s commitment to education and professional development within the game, emphasising that the growth of clubs depends heavily on well-trained administrators.

“We want to commend your mother body for making capacity building a priority,” said FIFA’s Davis Fani. “When we last visited, there was already a strong commitment to train administrators. We’re happy to see that realised, and as FIFA, we aim to help clubs manage themselves better to achieve long-term success.”

The course represents more than just a training workshop, it’s a vision for the future. It’s about redefining how Zimbabwean football clubs operate, ensuring they meet international standards in management, accountability, and professionalism.

With more capacity-building programmes already lined up for November, ZIFA says this is only the beginning of a broader effort to raise the bar for football administration across the country. If successfully implemented, these reforms could help create stable, well-run clubs capable of competing not just domestically, but also on the continental stage.

Zimbabwe continues its journey towards football reform and professionalisation, and this initiative could well be remembered as the turning point that set the local game on a path to long-term growth and global recognition.