Patience Muchemwa- Zim Now Reporter
Isaiah Mupfurutsa, a seasoned banker and the driving force behind the Cinderella story of Simba Bhora, has been elected as the new Chairman of the Premier Soccer League.
His victory on July 25, 2025, signals a new era for the league—one promising stability, financial discipline, and a renewed focus on infrastructure development and corporate governance.
Mupfurutsa's journey to the helm of Zimbabwean football is a testament to his quiet strategic mind and unwavering passion for the game. From the boardrooms of BancABC to the touchlines of Nyamhunga and the triumphant fields of Shamva, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to transforming football administration through pragmatic leadership.
For over two decades, Mupfurutsa honed his financial acumen at BancABC—a background that has deeply embedded a sense of discipline and institutional credibility into his approach to football. During his PSL chairmanship campaign, BancABC lauded his leadership style as “poised, proven, passionate,” a clear endorsement of his commitment to strong governance.
His financial prowess was evident during his tenure as Chairman of Dynamos FC, which began in 2018. Mupfurutsa quickly identified that, despite the club’s "bulging fan base," it wasn't effectively capturing revenue.
He spearheaded the creation of a commercial division, tackled the rampant issue of merchandise counterfeiting, implemented mobile stadium shops, and rolled out an ambitious five-year plan to transform Dynamos into a corporate "mega-project." He described this transition as "realising that potential revenue" that had long been dormant.
His steady hand also guided Dynamos through periods of internal turbulence. Amid suspensions and boardroom flare-ups, he famously urged the "Dynamos family… to run together in this last lap," defending coach Ndiraya and calling for unity.
His philosophy was clear: “I am not coming to reinvent the wheel… but to push forward what was started and sustained in the past… Engagement is key amongst all Dynamos stakeholders.”
Mupfurutsa’s most recent triumph, however, has been with Simba Bhora—a club that defied expectations to become Zimbabwe’s Cinderella story of 2024. In just their second top-flight season, Simba Bhora clinched the PSL title with an unassailable 66 points, dramatically becoming the first club from Mashonaland Central to achieve this feat.
A cornerstone of this success was the remarkable transformation of their home ground, Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva. Previously deemed unfit for PSL matches, the stadium underwent significant upgrades under Mupfurutsa’s stewardship. The club invested approximately US$300,000 in improvements, rebuilding terraces, VIP enclosures, and changing rooms to meet ZIFA standards—ensuring Shamva could once again proudly host top-tier football.
His recruitment strategy ahead of the 2024 season showcased a blend of ambition and cultural preservation. “We are not on a rebuilding course… we are still building… real championship material is not built overnight,” he stated, adding 9–10 players—including returnees and proven PSL talents—to build sustained depth without disrupting the team’s core.
The culmination of this vision arrived when captain Walter Musona’s 10th-minute goal at Luveve Stadium sealed the league title two games before the season’s end. Simba Bhora owner Simba “Buju” Ndoro, coach Tonderai Ndiraya, and fans alike credited Mupfurutsa’s infrastructure and squad investment for the historic victory.
Ndoro described the win as "the fulfillment of a long-held vision," while Ndiraya lauded the unity within the club, emphasizing that “this championship is for the entire province.”
Mupfurutsa’s calm and disciplined crisis management was also evident during the Chibuku Cup quarterfinals, when Highlanders accused Simba Bhora of match-fixing. The club weathered the storm without public confrontations—a testament to his composed leadership.
His ascent to PSL Chairman had long been anticipated, with his strong club-management record and community credentials setting him apart from other candidates like Kenneth Mhlophe and Innocent Benza. His election on July 25, 2025—with Kenneth Mhlophe confirmed as the unopposed Vice-Chair—marks a smooth and continuity-focused governance transition for the league.
Isaiah Mupfurutsa’s rise embodies a philosophy of sustained, infrastructure-first development and pragmatic governance. His story is a compelling narrative that bridges grassroots innovation with top-tier leadership—crafted through local engagement, strategic vision, and measured stewardship. As he now charts Zimbabwean football’s next chapter, the football community looks forward to a future defined by his commitment to stability, structure, and a renewed corporate identity for the Premier Soccer League.
Isaiah Mupfurutsa's Journey: A Timeline
2018: Appointed Chairman of Dynamos FC, embarking on a mission to revitalize the club's commercial operations and overall structure.
November 2022: Departs from his role as Dynamos FC chairman.
December 2024: Joins the PSL Emergency Committee, overseeing league affairs during a transitional period.
November 2024: Leads Simba Bhora to their first PSL title in just their second top-flight season—a historic win for Mashonaland Central.
July 25, 2025: Elected as the new Chairman of the Premier Soccer League, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwean football administration.
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