Faith Ndou
MASVINGO-The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has intensified preparations for the upcoming Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers by conducting a talent identification and scouting exercise for young girls in Masvingo Province.
The scouting session held on Monday(09/03/2026) at Mucheke B Grounds targeted players from various schools in Masvingo Province born between 2009 and 2011.
The exercise was led by Zimbabwe U17 Girls national team coach Lindiwe Ndlovu, a former FC Platinum Royals coach now with Scottland Queens, together with ZIFA talent development scheme (TDS) lead Jacob Chavungama.
Speaking after the scouting exercise, Chavungama said a total of 43 players were assessed with about 15 girls being shortlisted for the national talent pool.
“We scouted and assessed a total of 43 players and shortlisted about 15 girls. Most of the players came from Rufaro High School which had 12 players while Victoria High School contributed one player and Masvingo Christian College produced two players,” he said.
Chavungama said the scouting of targeted players within the 2009–2011 birth year band is part of preparations for the upcoming U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers scheduled for April 10 to July 12 2026.
“The main objective is to scout talent in its own habitat, create a database of young players and prepare for the U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. This is part of the Talent Development Scheme initiative aimed at identifying the country’s best talent through nationwide scouting as opposed to the outdated trial call-ups,” he said.
The U17 Women’s World Cup will be held in Morocco between October and November 2026.
Meanwhile, Eastern Region Women’s Division One Soccer League chairperson Rosemary Muzvidziwa welcomed the programme saying it would help expose young female footballers in the region.
“I am very happy about this programme because it will put our girls on the map,” said Muzvidziwa.
She, however, urged ZIFA to extend the scouting programme to remote districts such as Mwenezi and Chiredzi where many talented girls lack exposure.
“I would like to request ZIFA to also reach districts like Mwenezi and Chiredzi where there are many girls playing football but they have no exposure because they live in hard-to-reach areas,” she said.
The nationwide scouting programme forms part of ZIFA’s broader efforts to strengthen the women’s junior national teams ahead of international competitions.
