Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) boss Tavengwa Mukuhlani is now officially in charge of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) after nine months in an acting role. All 23 member unions backed him at the AGM in Singapore on Friday, ending any lingering uncertainty about the post.
“We stand today at the threshold of a new era for African cricket – an era defined by stronger governance, broader opportunity and renewed ambition,” Mukuhlani said in a statement issued by ZC. “Let us continue building on the progress we have made, united by a common purpose and driven by a shared love for the game.”
Key projects on the ACA desk
• Africa T20: The idea has floated around for years. Mukuhlani now has the votes—and, he hopes, the commercial pull—to get a continent-wide franchise tournament off the ground.
• Afro-Asia Cup: Last played in 2007, the concept was revived on paper in 2024. The ACA believes competitive Africa v Asia fixtures could return as early as 2026.
• Africa Games 2027: Cricket debuted at the Ghana Games in 2023. With Egypt hosting in 2027, Mukuhlani wants a bigger cricket presence and, crucially, more funding from the Africa Union sports pot.
“These engagements are crucial not only for visibility but also for opening new doors of investment, policy support and continental collaboration,” he said.
Governance shake-up
The ACA has rewritten its memorandum of incorporation, adding safeguards around finance and election cycles—moves quietly welcomed by full members South Africa and Zimbabwe. Administrators admit the body’s reputation took a knock during the previous decade of sporadic activity; Mukuhlani’s task is to prove the new paperwork translates into real transparency.
Zimbabwe context
Mukuhlani has chaired ZC since 2015, winning three re-elections. In that time:
• ZC dug itself out of heavy debt and survived an ICC suspension after government meddling.
• The women’s side joined the ICC Future Tours Programme, earning regular international cricket.
• The men remain outside the World Test Championship and missed the last two ODI World Cups, plus the 2024 T20 edition. They will, however, feature at the 2027 50-over World Cup, co-hosted with South Africa and Namibia, and share the 2026 Under-19 World Cup with Namibia.
Why the ACA role matters
For Mukuhlani, the ACA chairmanship offers continental clout and access to new revenue streams. For Zimbabwe, it may provide leverage in fixture scheduling and commercial partnerships. Critics note that grand plans—the Africa T20, for instance—have stumbled before when money dried up. Supporters counter that a single, clearly backed leader gives broadcasters and sponsors something concrete to negotiate with.
Either way, African cricket has a full-time figurehead again. The next 12 months, starting with the search for league investors, will show whether Mukuhlani can move from hearty rhetoric to signed contracts and, ultimately, more cricket for more Africans.
