ZIFA Reappoints Yvonne Mapika Manwa As General Secretary

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has reappointed Yvonne Mapika Manwa as substantive General Secretary.

In a statement this week, ZIFA said her appointment followed a competitive recruitment and interview process.

Manwa previously served as General Secretary from 2023 to 2025 and returns as the association continues to advance the growth and development of football in Zimbabwe.

She was first appointed ZIFA Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2023 by the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee to lead the secretariat. She took up the post after FIFA rejected the initial candidate, Nyasha Kadenge.

FIFA had instructed ZIFA to conduct background checks on all potential candidates. Kadenge did not meet FIFA’s ethical requirements. She had previously faced disciplinary action at Ngezi Platinum Stars, where she was later dismissed without the reasons being disclosed.

In December 2025, Manwa stepped down when her contract expired. ZIFA said she chose not to renew it at the time. During her tenure, she guided the association through a period of institutional renewal. This included working under the Normalisation Committee, adopting a new ZIFA constitution, and overseeing Zimbabwe’s return to international football.

After completing her contract, Manwa elected to step aside to allow a successor to lead Zimbabwean football into its next phase of growth. She briefly moved into a consultancy role focused on women’s leadership and organisational development in the COSAFA region.

Her departure, however, was short-lived. ZIFA officially reappointed her as substantive General Secretary this week, bringing her back to the helm after a six-month hiatus.

Related:

ZIFA Close To Appointing Substantive Warriors Coach Magwizi Says He Rejected Range Rover, Land Cruiser From Chivayo On Ethical Grounds