In an insightful interview, Chairman of Gokwe North Football Club, Takwana Muwani shares the Club journey and his expert perspectives on the evolving landscape of Zimbabwean football.

Our reporter Lingiwe Gumbo (LG) had a chat with Takwana Muwani (TM) about the football club. Lets dive into the discussion:

L.G: Please tell us a brief history of Gokwe North Football Club. It’s past, present and aspiring future?

T. M: Gokwe North Football Club was established in 2010 with the aim of developing rural talent and improving the lives of aspiring young footballers. It started as Sunrise Academy and then developed into a football club which was named Nembudziya F. C.

This brand name was used in 2016 as a quest for the club to play Division 2 football in the Central Region. Before it plied its trade in Division 2, the club played a lot of friendly matches with clubs such as Chapungu, Hwahwa, Lancashire Steel, Kwekwe Stars just but to mention a few, in an attempt to furnish the players with the then current trends in football. After that rigorous process the team played Division 2 football and got promoted automatically into Central Region Soccer League Division One and hence, because of its aims to uplift young talents in Gokwe North, the club was named Gokwe North F.C. The team played in Division one for one season in 2018 and managed to maintain the slot after finishing above relegation zone despite not playing a number of games.

The team didn’t play the following seasons due to lack of sponsors until 2024 when the current leadership revived the slot and secured a sponsorship from Honourable Spencer Tshuma who paid $4300 affiliation fees and the team was readmitted into the CRSL division one. The team finished 14th in a 17 team league hence surviving relegation despite assembling a team of locals in February to start playing in April. The team is aspiring to win the championship by 2026 and bring premier league football to Gokwe North.

L.G: Like any team, there are players which made it exceptional in the various seasons, who are these? Where are they now?

T.M: Prosper Andrea – he joined Sheasham F.C and later on played in the premier league with the same team before he joined Wangu Mazodze F.C Eastern Region in 2024. Bhudiyo Leniency a talented goalkeeper who is currently in the books of Blanket Mine F.C in GwandaCourage Chivende unattachedEvans Moyo unattached.

L.G: What are the wins and accolades which you realized as a team? Trophies, medals, etc. Name them.

T.M: Just like any other club which is at its infant stage and struggling financially no trophies and medals in the cabinet yet.

L.G: As chairman of the board, can you say it has been smooth sailing from the time you took up the responsibility? Any challenges?

T.M: It was really a struggle from the beginning of my Tenure as the chairman because it was like starting from scratch. I had a lot of challenges; but we are grateful for the unwavering support and sponsorship from the main sponsors. Honourable Spencer Tshuma paid our affiliation fee, bought us a home and away kit and balls for training and the fuel used for our away matches.

Mr. Fakazi paid for our transport for our away matches, paid some winning bonuses to our players as well as paying referees match fees. However, the other players’ welfare still remained outstanding. This was a challenge because we had some players living at the club house who needed food everyday. So we were forced to go into the community to fundraise for that and some other expenses related to the day to day running of the club. Our challenges were financial constraints, the kind of transport we used to go for away matches was not favourable for the players because it was small and not that comfortable as we used a 16 seater combi to carry 18 players and 2 coaches and a team manager. Accomodation challenges, when we go away and the other is in securing proper training equipment for the players.

L.G: There are many aspects of making sure a Football club operates well as regulations set by the ZIFA and other local and international boards. Can you explain briefly what these are to a layman like me?

T.M: We are a club which operates under the governance of ZIFA, CAF and FIFA so there are guidelines which we follow as a club under those governing boards just like any other club.

L.G: I have had no interest in football but of late due to a change in scenery and trying to understand the community I am in, I have discovered an interest. What is so peculiar about Gokwe North F.C. which other clubs do not possess?

T.M: The notion to develop local Talents.

L.G: From what age groups are players allowed to join the club?

T.M: From the age of six years.

L.G: In some nations, football is regarded as a job and source of employment. How do you address this in your Football club? Who looks at the welfare of the team players?

T.M: This is the main core of our idea to create employment from different opportunities created by our vision. In short, we would like to further our ambitions into women football and other sporting disciplines.

L.G: Gokwe North F.C through your leadership has many dreams and aspirations. Which ones have been met and which are still outstanding?

T.M: Developing and marketing young talents regardless of age or gender. We hope to be a dominant club in the Premier Circles.

L.G: Recently you have been having tryouts to beef up the team. Do the players from last season seem eager to return for the next season?

T.M: The players from our previous season are very much eager to return for the next season and they are raring to go. They want to set a mark that no one else can erase.

L.G: From the look of the tryouts so far, are the young men promising to bring more talent than before?

T.M: Very much promising, exceptional talent emerging from the young men, we witnessed that during the tryouts.

L.G: Is there anything else you would like the readers and audience to know? Please share.

T.M: Gokwe North FC is the only club in Gokwe North and South currently playing in Division one and our main idea is to promote local talent and we aspire to bring premier league football to the rural by 2026. Since Gokwe North will be hosting the National Independence celebrations, we are looking forward to have a better stadium to host our home games.

The year begins with various opportunities and Gokwe North F.C is set to make a lasting first impression as they prepare for the season beginning in April. A good support system both from home and surroundings is vital for growth, a healthy team and team spirit. Because of the commitment shown, I am convinced the local team will realize a few medals this season. Best of luck to them.