The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has partnered with local bank BancABC to roll out a grassroots football programme valued at US$200,000.
The BancABC Grassroots Impact Junior League will feature Under-14 and Under-16 teams for both boys and girls, competing in a nationwide league across all 10 provinces. ZIFA opted for these age groups, instead of the internationally recognised Under-15 and Under-17 categories, to create a sustainable development pipeline into the recognised age brackets.
Under the programme’s structure, each province will have four teams — two Under-14 girls’ teams and two Under-16 boys’ teams — bringing the total to 40 teams nationwide. Each team will play 18 matches over the course of the year, resulting in a combined 720 matches annually.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said BancABC’s investment in grassroots football was a vote of confidence in the association’s leadership and vision.
“Your decision to invest in grassroots football is not just corporate support. It is leadership. It is belief. It is a vote of confidence in the new direction for Zimbabwean football that is being put in place,” Magwizi said..
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“When this executive took office, we made a clear pledge. We said we would rebuild Zimbabwean football from the base of the pyramid upwards. We said shortcuts would no longer define our thinking. We said development would no longer be fragmented, seasonal or informal. The Grassroots Impact Programme is the clearest expression of that pledge.
“This initiative represents a year-round national development platform, not a once-off tournament. It introduces nationally standardised structures, proper governance, safeguarding systems and clear progression pathways for young players in Zimbabwe.”
BancABC chief executive Tawanda Munaiwa said the bank aims to contribute meaningfully to the strengthening of football at community level, noting that its past initiatives reflect a long-standing commitment to the sport.
“For BancABC, this partnership with ZIFA represents a strong alignment of values. As a financial institution, we understand that growth is not measured only in balance sheets and profitability, but also in the strength, resilience and prosperity of the communities we serve,” he said.
“Grassroots football is where dreams are first sparked, where raw talent is discovered, and where future national icons begin their journey. Our collaboration with ZIFA through this sponsorship is a deliberate and strategic investment in the future of our nation. We want to see the Warriors and the Mighty Warriors lift the AFCON trophy and consistently qualify for the World Cup.
“That journey does not start on the international stage; it starts here, with strong, well-supported grassroots football. For that reason, BancABC is committed to continuing this sponsorship for the long term — in fact, until we lift AFCON silverware or qualify for the World Cup.”
The launch event was attended by several dignitaries, including Deputy Sports Minister Emily Jesaya, who was represented in absentia by the ministry’s chief director; ZIFA vice presidents Kennedy Ndebele and Loveness Wadzanai Mukura; representatives from the Sports and Recreation Commission; Zimbabwe Women Premier Soccer League chairperson Chido Chizondo; ZIFA provincial and regional chairpersons; and BancABC executives and staff.