Story by Mthokozisi Dube
2024 will go down memory lane as a year of mixed fortunes in the beautiful game with the biggest positive being the Warriors’ qualification for the prestigious continental showpiece set for Morocco next year.
Lack of CAF certified stadia was the biggest challenge for the Warriors and the country’s representatives in the CAF Champions League, Ngezi platinum and CAF Confederation Cup, Dynamos as they played all their matches away from home.
It ended in a disastrous campaign as Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos were booted out before the mini league phase of their respective competitions.
That was, however, not the case with the Warriors who qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and went through the World Cup qualifiers playing in Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa.
Former ZIFA board member Samukeliso Silengane said, “We had a good year in football. We rallied behind our warriors in Polokwane and we showed the world that we can play at any venue.”
On the domestic scene, Simba Bhora shocked all and sundry after wrestling the Premier Soccer League title in only their second season in the topflight.
Simba Bhora put the icing on the cake after dominating the the soccer stars selection with five of their players making it to the best 11, while Coach Tonderayi Ndiraya was voted as the best among his peers.
Four clubs; debutants Arenel movers, Chegutu Pirates, Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange kissed goodbye to topflight football and were replaced by ZPC Hwange, Kwekwe united, Triangle and Scottland FC.
ZPC Hwange went on to win the inaugural champions of champions trophy held in the Midlands capital of Gweru.
In women football, new sponsorship was unveiled resulting in the league rebranding to the Heart Women Super League, with Herentals Queens retaining their crown.
Chapungu were crowned champions of the Heart tournament which saw participating teams getting playing kits.
Heart Women Premier League spokesperson Sizolwethu Dube, “As womenm dfootball we will remember 2024 as a year we receive fifa grabnts as clubs something which went a long way in the running of our league. For the first time we had a sponsor and we played a tournament and we had licences for our players.”
2024 is done and dusted and what awaits is the ZIFA elections expected to usher in a new leadership and chapter for Zimbabwean football.
Former CAPS United boss Twine Phiri, United Kingdom based football administrator Marshal Gore, former ZIFA board member Philemon Machana, Northern region division one chairperson Martin Kweza, former Dynamos striker Makwinji Soma Phiri, and businessman Nqobile Magwizi are vying to the ZIFA presidency in an election slated for the 25th of January.
