Roots Impact Programme Kicks Off as Zimbabwe’s Future Takes Centre Stage

A new chapter in Zimbabwean football development began this weekend as the inaugural BancABC Roots Impact Programme got underway with exciting provincial clashes in Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo.

Young footballers representing their provinces took to the field in the Under-14 and Under-16 boys’ and girls’ categories, marking the start of a structured national development pathway designed to identify, nurture and develop the country’s next generation of football talent.

Months of talent identification, scouting and player selection culminated in an action-packed opening weekend that showcased not only impressive footballing ability but also the passion and potential that exists across Zimbabwe.

At Prince Edward School in Harare, the capital hosted Mashonaland Central in a competitive series of fixtures. The Under-14 Boys shared the spoils in a goalless draw before the Under-14 Girls battled to an entertaining 1-1 draw. Harare then found another gear in the older age groups, with the Under-16 Boys recording a solid 2-0 victory before the Under-16 Girls completed an impressive 5-0 win to round off a successful day for the hosts.

In Masvingo, Manicaland announced themselves as one of the early pace-setters with commanding performances across all four divisions at Victoria High School. The visitors opened with a dominant 7-0 victory in the Under-14 Boys before following it up with a 5-0 triumph in the Under-14 Girls. The Under-16 Boys secured a hard-fought 1-0 win, while the Under-16 Girls completed a clean sweep with an impressive 4-1 victory over the hosts.

Bulawayo also enjoyed a memorable opening weekend as they hosted Midlands in another closely contested provincial encounter. The hosts edged the Under-14 Boys 2-1 before claiming a narrow 1-0 victory in the Under-14 Girls. The Under-16 Boys added another 1-0 win for Bulawayo, while Midlands earned their first victory of the campaign with a spirited 2-1 success in the Under-16 Girls fixture.

The opening round demonstrated exactly what the BancABC Roots Impact Programme was created to achieve — providing young footballers from every province with a structured, merit-based platform to compete, learn and grow in a professionally organised environment.

Beyond the results, the weekend celebrated opportunity. Hundreds of young players took the first steps on a pathway that links schools, communities, provincial teams and, ultimately, Zimbabwe’s national teams. Alongside football development, the programme also places strong emphasis on safeguarding, education, governance and holistic player welfare.

As the matches unfolded across the country, parents, coaches, officials and supporters witnessed the beginning of what promises to become one of Zimbabwe’s most significant youth football initiatives.

With the opening fixtures now complete, the BancABC Roots Impact Programme has laid a strong foundation for the weeks ahead. More importantly, it has reinforced a simple but powerful message: the future of Zimbabwean football is already here, and it is growing from the roots up.

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