Trust Rukwava
Centre News Sport Hub
Retired Major Special Matarirano has thrown his hat into the basket for the prestigious ZIFA Eastern Region Chairperson post.
Matarirano is no stranger to football as he played for army clubs Black Rhinos and United Lions and also served as Chairman at the now defunct Masvingo City Football Club.
Matarirano said his vision is centered on the principle of “From Grassroots to Greatness”.
“My vision is simple but bold as I seek to transform football in the Eastern Region into a professional, commercially viable, and socially empowering sector that develops talent, creates opportunities and uplifts our communities” said Matarirano.
Matarirano has pledged to spearhead grassroots football development, setting up of infrastructure and facilities, transparency, governance and integrity, commercialization and empowerment once elected to the top post.
Matarirano also said the Eastern Region deserves a mindset change from the leadership in order for development to take place so that the Eastern Region becomes the heartbeat of Zimbabwean football once again.
“The time for change is now. The Eastern Region deserves leadership that understands the game from the locker room to the boardroom. It deserves leadership that dreams big, acts boldly and delivers results” added Matarirano.
He also emphasized that he will have a special focus on women soccer development that has been neglected in the region for a very long time.
Matarirano is set to lock horns with Mutare based Wisdom Simba the current region Vice Chairperson when the Electoral College meets on December 6 2025 in Masvingo.
Matarirano is a skillful legend of the game who once played for Zimbabwe National Army Masvingo Division one side, United Lions from 2002 to 2008 and Black Rhinos in Premier Soccer Leagued from 2008 to 2009. He also had a stint with some with Karoi United and Marondera Cosco during his youthful days.
The retired Major is also a prolific football administrator who served as Black Rhinos Communications and spokesperson from 2017 to 2020 and was the Chairman for Masvingo City FC from2014 to 2016.
He says he can be entrusted with the top post given his vast experience as a soccer players and administrator and urged those who will vote to have confidence in him promising to steer and bring change to the eastern region soccer administration.
