A football administrator, who requested anonymity, has raised concerns over the direction of football in Mashonaland West Province following provincial football elections held on December 13, 2025, saying continued lack of vision and poor governance are stalling development across the province’s seven districts.

Speaking after the elections, the administrator said meaningful progress would only be achieved when qualified and passionate individuals are entrusted with leadership roles.

 “The moment we start to employ qualified football administrators or learned executive members who desire and have passion for progress in our football is the time development will be achieved,” he said.

He added that the election outcome reflected a lack of long-term planning. “This was evidenced by the election results, as councillors did not have future goals and vision for provincial football,” he said.

The administrator noted that the province has been under the same leadership for the past 20 years without tangible achievements. “For the past 20 years, our province has been under the same leadership, and we felt it was time to change the way business was done to achieve greater development across the seven districts in Mashonaland West,” he said.

 “During this period, we cannot point to any tangible developments.”

He was critical of the voting process, claiming that self-interest outweighed football development. “Councillors voted for their stomachs rather than football development in our province, which I believe shows a lack of vision and passion for our future football development,” he said.

According to the administrator, poor leadership has directly affected performances on the field. “When we look across clubs in our province, there are mediocre performances almost everywhere, and these are results of poor management by administrators,” he said.

He cited several examples, including struggles by Premier Soccer League sides. “Check ZPC Kariba’s performances over the past two seasons and their final league standings,” he said. He also referred to contractual disputes involving Ngezi Platinum Stars. 

“Ngezi Platinum Stars were involved in heavy payment damages for breach of coaches’ contracts, something which could have been avoided through proper interpretation of contract codes of conduct.”

The administrator also highlighted challenges faced by lower-division teams, including the relegation of Chinhoyi Stars and Ngezi Under-19, as well as poor performances by Banket United, Karoi United, Pam FC, Chegutu Pirates and FC Oden. 

“All these teams are struggling on the field of play, and this is a result of a lack of proper structures and good management,” he said.

He added that clubs such as CCLEE Mhangura and Norton Community lasted only one season in Division One before being relegated. “This shows that we are not producing quality football and competitive clubs from our province, which was one of the key areas we planned to address,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the administrator acknowledged pockets of success. “Chinhoyi Rangers, which I was part of, produced good results and finished sixth in their first year in the league,” he said, singling out MWOS FC as a model club. “MWOS FC is the only club with sound management, which is widely emulated and appreciated.”

He also expressed concern over the lack of development of coaches and referees in the province. “We are not producing enough quality coaches and referees who can join other clubs and leagues. Capacity building for human resources is lagging behind, and this was another key issue in our plans for the province,” he said.

Kadoma City’s continued absence from Division One football was also highlighted. “Kadoma City has many clubs and talented players but has not tasted Division One football for a long time, which indicates a lack of proper management at club level,” he said.

Despite his disappointment with the election outcome, the administrator stressed that he held no grudges. “This assessment is made without ill feelings toward the winners and councillors,” he said. “Congratulations to the winners.”