Vision for a New Era in Zimbabwean Football
FC Platinum Stars chairman Dumisani Sisale is confident that he possesses the necessary skills and vision to bring about a transformative change in the local football league. His candidacy for the PSL chairmanship, set to be decided in Harare on Friday, reflects his deep commitment to the sport and a clear plan for its future.
The upcoming PSL elections will determine a new board, consisting of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and three executive committee members. Among the four candidates vying for the chairmanship are former Dynamos boss Isaiah Mupfurutsa (now with Simba Bhora), Masimba Chihowa of Manica Diamonds, Leonard Musariri of Ngezi Platinum, and Sisale of FC Platinum. Notably, Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe is running unopposed and will take on the role of vice-chairperson.
Sisale has presented a detailed manifesto titled “Reignite the Game – Reform. Empower. Excel.” His campaign is driven by a passion for football and a desire to modernize the league to meet international standards. He believes that his leadership can create a positive impact for clubs, players, fans, sponsors, and the nation as a whole.
Commercialisation and Revenue Growth
One of the key pillars of Sisale’s plan is commercialisation and revenue growth. He outlines a multi-pronged strategy aimed at enhancing the league’s financial health. This includes negotiating competitive and comprehensive broadcast deals to increase the league’s visibility both locally and regionally. He emphasizes the importance of partnering with national broadcasters and regional networks for live match coverage and launching or licensing digital streaming platforms to reach diaspora communities and younger, tech-savvy audiences.
In addition, Sisale aims to attract corporate sponsorships and partners through league rebranding. A refreshed and modern league identity, he argues, will make the league more appealing to potential sponsors and investors.
Youth Development Initiatives
Youth development is another major focus of Sisale’s manifesto. He proposes policies to ensure a steady pipeline of talent. One such policy is a mandatory Under-19 registration, requiring clubs to register a minimum of five Under-19 players as part of their 30-player first team roster. To ensure actual game time, a mandatory minutes rule will obligate each club to accumulate a minimum of 2500 minutes of playing time for Under-19 players over the course of the league season.
To support these efforts, Sisale proposes a national Under-19 Development Fund, which would allocate a fixed percentage (e.g., 10%) of the league’s commercial and broadcasting revenue annually to uplift youth football infrastructure and capacity across all regions.
Governance and Transparency
Sisale is committed to establishing good governance and transparency within the ZPSL. He plans to implement open and audited financial systems for the PSL Office to ensure all revenues and expenditures are traceable, reducing the risk of mismanagement and building stakeholder confidence.
He also intends to introduce club licensing systems aligned with CAF/FIFA standards to professionalise club operations. This will enhance accountability and representation through club participation in decisions, fostering a more democratic and inclusive league.
Additional Focus Areas
Beyond these core areas, Sisale’s manifesto includes proposals for improved club support and league competitiveness. He suggests periodic financial disbursements based on performance and compliance, as well as standardised medical, legal, and welfare policies across all teams.
He also recognises the need to invest in stadium infrastructure through strategic partnerships. In a digital age, Sisale vows to modernise the league’s digital platforms and expand the PSL’s digital footprint across regional platforms.
Women’s Football Inclusion
A forward-thinking element of Sisale’s plan is the inclusion of women’s football. He commits to creating a comprehensive roadmap for women’s football development and actively encouraging and assisting PSL clubs to establish their own women’s football teams.
Immediate Goals and Long-Term Vision
Sisale’s immediate goals (first 12 months) include securing a national broadcast partner, hosting a ZPSL Indaba, launching a youth development charter, and restructuring the secretariat. By year five, he envisions 100% of teams with active youth academies and the league broadcast in at least three regional markets, alongside a significant increase in Under-19 player minutes and overall league competitiveness.
