Is Phillip Chiyangwa Zimbabwe Football’s saviour?

When Phillip Chiyangwa was voted into office on 5 December 2015, there were mixed reactions as to whether the flamboyant businessman had the knowledge required to run an organisation as complex as Zifa.

Plunged with a 6 million dollar debt as well as the possibility of being kicked out of the 2022 FIFA world cup, it appeared Chiyangwa had a mountain to climb in order to succeed at Zifa. A woeful blunder of axing Kalisto Pasuwa, a decision that was later reversed seemed to suggest the old story of chaos had returned to the country’s most supported sport.

Since the blunder, Zifa has quietly gone about its business, clearing all the dues owed to Kalisto Pasuwa as well as giving all the Warriors their dues before their participation at the African Nations Championship in Rwanda.

While previous administrations failed to keep the junior national teams active, the current Zifa board has already registered all junior sides for Caf competitions. The mighty warriors will this year compete at the Rio Olympics and Chiyangwa says he has already begun engaging other nations with the view of organising friendlies for the Zim women’s side. Among countries Chiyangwa is talking to is the Spanish Football Federation which has expressed interest in organising for a friendly between Spain and Zimbabwe.

Given all the short term efforts made by Chiyangwa since assuming office, the million dollar question is whether Chiyangwa could be Zimbabwe Football’s saviour.