ZIFA Mashonaland Central, under its new board led by Colonel Edward Mutukwa, is set to launch a technology-driven digital player verification and smart identification card system for the upcoming season.
The initiative, developed through a strategic partnership with the Bindura University of Science and Technology (BUSE), delivers on a campaign promise to modernise the province’s football landscape.
This initiative marks a historic shift in provincial football, using technology to enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and streamline player management. By introducing digital verification and smart ID cards, Mashonaland Central aims to set a benchmark for Zimbabwean football, ensuring that young talent develops in a fair, organised, and professional environment.
Since his election into office in December, Mutukwa has moved with precision to overhaul the province's football administration. Earlier this month, his board held a courtesy meeting with the Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister for Mashonaland Central, Christopher Magomo, at his Bindura offices. The aim was to align the board’s football agenda with broader provincial and national development goals, ensuring sports policy complements economic initiatives.
Mutukwa’s mandate is anchored on transparency and development. Shortly after his election, he emphasised a break from the "business-as-usual" approach that had long plagued the province.
“It’s time to renew the way we do business in terms of football. There are a lot of issues that have been taking place in Mash Central recently, which I don't agree with,” he said.
“We should respect the rules and regulations of football. Division 2 is a developmental structure. Therefore, we need to teach these young boys and girls what they should do as basics —the right things, not the wrong things. Issues related to club licensing are very important. Issues related to player registration are very important.”
He added: “We don't want teams that use ineligible players that they hire from Harare and other places just for the purposes of winning a football match. We want players who join our system even from a young age and develop from there until they become superstars. So this is what we want to do in Mashonaland Central. We need to recalibrate the mind. Let's rethink and make sure that we do the right things. We don't want corruption again. We also need things that are straightforward in the book. That's what we are going to do.”
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The new digital player verification and smart identification card system offers multiple strategic benefits.
These include the elimination of identity fraud as the digital status on the central server cannot be faked, which means that a quick QR scan by match officials would reveal the player's real-time eligibility.
It provides efficient suspension management as the disciplinary committee can instantly update a player’s status, ensuring red-carded players cannot take the field.
The system empowers the league to maintain a clean, centralised digital database of all members for future planning.
Promoters of the system say the PVC cards offer a unique sponsorship opportunity, as the reverse side provides prime real estate for corporate branding to help offset league costs.
