ZIFA struggles to access US$1.25m FIFA funding

By Agencies

Zimbabwean football is currently grappling with constrained funding from FIFA, as the nation fails to qualify for the annual grant exceeding $1.25 million, typically extended to all 210 FIFA affiliates.

This revelation came from Lincoln Mutasa, the chairman of the ZIFA Normalisation Committee (NC), who highlighted the ongoing challenges stemming from ZIFA’s lack of audited financial accounts regarding previous FIFA disbursements.

Mutasa, in a discussion on a local television channel, stated, “At present, we are operating on restricted funding due to non-compliance with FIFA’s requirements resulting from unaudited accounts. We are indeed on a limited budget.”

This situation arises from significant funds that have accumulated in FIFA for Zimbabwe during the suspension period; however, access to these funds remains barred until ZIFA presents its audited finances.

The last funding from FIFA was funnelled to the ZIFA board led by Felton Kamambo, which faced suspension by the Sports and Recreation Commission, a move that subsequently saw Zimbabwe banned from international football due to governmental interference.

Currently, Mutasa indicated that the funds available are strictly ‘restricted’ and only applicable for approved projects that require prior applications to FIFA.

“For any additional projects, we must provide justification and submit a budget before approaching FIFA for funding. Apart from that, no other financial support is forthcoming,” he added.

With no sponsors and lacking fundraising initiatives, ZIFA heavily relies on FIFA grants and revenue from gate receipts during Warriors home matches to remain afloat.

Unfortunately, the intake from gate takings has plummeted — if not vanished entirely — given that the Warriors have had to shift their home fixtures to foreign venues due to the National Sports Stadium being deemed inadequate by international standards.

Recently, Zimbabwe played their home 2026 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Rwanda, before traveling to South Africa for another qualifier against Lesotho.

In a recent development, Mutasa was reappointed as NC chairman alongside Rosemary Mugadza and Nyasha Sanyamandwe, while Sikumbuzo Ndebele and Cynthia Malaba were omitted from the committee that was reconstituted on July 11, 2023.

He assures that a new ZIFA board and president will be established by January 31, 2025, marking the end of their extended term of office.