There are moments in football that leave you lost for words, writes Nqobile Magwizi.
When the final whistle blew on Zimbabwe’s last qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, soon after Lesotho had scored, I felt what every fan, player and coach across our nation experiences— disappointment, frustration and sadness.
We began this journey filled with optimism and a strong desire to show that Zimbabwe can stand among the best on the continent.
Yet sport has a way of reminding us that dreams are not realised by passion alone — they require structure, discipline and time.
Today, as we sit at the bottom of Group C, the easiest response would be to assign blame, criticise and point fingers.
It is a natural reaction, and people have every right to express their frustration.
But that must not overshadow what truly matters — what comes next.
Painful as this moment is, it offers us something far more valuable: perspective.
It gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect and rebuild.
Lessons from a difficult campaign
Falling short in the qualifiers is never easy, but it is not the end of the story.
Every footballing nation, no matter how great, has faced setbacks on the path to success.
The difference between stagnation and progress lies in what we do next.
Our performances showed glimpses of potential with moments of brilliance, flashes of chemistry and young players eager to wear the national colours with pride.
But the truth is clear: Talent alone is not enough. We need stronger systems, deeper preparation and a culture that prizes long-term growth over short-term comfort.
That is where our focus at ZIFA now lies — not on what has been lost, but on what must be built.
It is important to prepare for each tournament and every match, giving our best in the moment. But it is even more important to build towards a lasting legacy — one that will outlive us all.
That is the difference between simply participating and truly transforming. When we study the nations that dominate world football, especially across Europe, we see a common thread: long-term vision, consistency and investment in strong foundations.
That is the path we intend to follow — with purpose, with patience and with deliberate intent.
We cannot afford to rebuild from scratch every time a tournament ends.
We are establishing a clear footballing philosophy that guides our youth academies, national teams and club structures.
Our ambition should not only be to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations or World Cup, but should be to remain competitive across generations. That is the kind of legacy I want us to pursue.
A technical director for the future
One of the most important decisions we have made as an association is to appoint a new technical director — a position that will serve as the nerve centre of football development in Zimbabwe.
This office will now come into full effect to coordinate coaching pathways, oversee youth development and align the philosophies of all our national teams.
The technical director will not only be a strategist but a bridge between our football history and our football future.
Our youth national teams, from the Under-13s to the Under-23s, must all play with a shared identity — a Zimbabwean style. A style built on discipline, intelligence and pride — the hallmarks of our nation. This is how nations grow sustainably. And this is the future we are committing to.
Just last week, we concluded a club licensing and professionalisation workshop, part of our broader effort to ensure that every club in Zimbabwe is managed according to modern standards.
For too long, football administration has been treated as a passion project rather than a profession.
While passion is essential, it cannot replace competence. Clubs are the foundation of our football pyramid — and if the base is weak, the structure cannot stand.
That is why ZIFA is insisting that everyone who wants to run a football club must be trained in governance, finance, player welfare and stakeholder management.
A well-administered club produces stable players, fair competition and, ultimately, better national teams.
Professionalisation also protects the game’s integrity by reducing unsavoury incidents and ensuring accountability.
The ultimate goal is not to punish, but to empower — to equip our administrators with the tools they need to succeed.
In every success story in football, there is one constant: Learning never stops.
We want Zimbabwean football to become a learning ecosystem — where coaches, referees, administrators and even fans embrace the journey of continuous improvement.
We are already building partnerships with CAF, COSAFA and FIFA to facilitate more capacity-building programmes for all sectors of the game.
The CAF Club Licensing initiative, for instance, will soon require specific certifications for administrators. Zimbabwe must not lag behind. We must lead by example.
When our clubs and associations are run with efficiency and professionalism, our national teams will naturally rise.
From disappointment to determination
There is no doubt that this elimination hurts. It hurts deeply. But it also reminds us why we must build better.
The players gave their best under challenging circumstances, and as ZIFA, we accept our share of responsibility to provide them with stronger preparation, better facilities and consistent support.
The next World Cup and AFCON cycles must begin now — not a few months before qualifiers start. This is how we will transform disappointment into determination and frustration into focus.
As we chart the road ahead, I call upon every stakeholder in our game — fans, players, coaches, clubs, sponsors, Government partners and the media — to stand with us.
Rebuilding a football nation is not the responsibility of one association alone; it is a collective mission that belongs to all of us.
We must move into collaboration.
We all want the same thing — to see the Warriors roar again, not just for one campaign, but for generations to come.
Those who have built successful structures are seldom the ones who celebrate the fruits of the work, but that is what leadership is all about. We know we all have ideas and dreams.
Sharing them allows our strategy options to grow. Our journey back to the top begins with unity of purpose and belief in our collective strength.
A new beginning
As I reflect on our World Cup exit, I choose not to see failure — I see a foundation.
A foundation for reform, for renewal and for the rebirth of Zimbabwean football.
ZIFA’s vision is clear: to build systems that nurture talent long before players reach the national team; to professionalise our clubs so that football becomes a sustainable career path; and to restore trust, transparency and pride in the game we all hold dear.
The next chapter of Zimbabwean football begins now.
The road ahead will not be easy, but it will be worth every step because we are not merely chasing qualification, but we are building a legacy that will stand the test of time.
To every fan who kept believing, even in defeat, and to every player who gave everything for the badge, your passion is the heartbeat of our game.
ZIFA is committed to matching that passion with professionalism, vision and responsible leadership. Together, we will rise again — stronger, wiser and united in purpose.
Because this is more than football.
This is Zimbabwe’s story, and our best chapters are yet to be written.
*Nqobile Magwizi is the ZIFA president.