Tavengwa Mukuhlani, the long-serving chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), has been unanimously elected chairman of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA), solidifying his leadership following a stint as interim head since November 2023. The decision was made official during the ACA’s annual general meeting in Singapore, where all 23 member associations voted in his favor.
“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 released 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.”
Africa T20 league and Afro-Asia Cup central to ACA’s agenda
Mukuhlani’s election ushers in a renewed push to grow the game across the continent. Two major projects top the ACA’s strategic list: the launch of a long-envisioned Africa T20 league and the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup. Both initiatives are seen as vital to expanding the sport’s reach and visibility in Africa and beyond.
Cricket will also return to the Africa Games in 2027, hosted by Egypt. The sport made its debut at the Games in 2023 in Ghana, where Zimbabwe’s men’s and women’s teams won gold in competitions designed for developmental and emerging squads.
Mukuhlani emphasized the value of multi-sport platforms like the Africa Games in elevating cricket’s profile. “These engagements are crucial not only for visibility but also for opening new doors of investment, policy support and continental collaboration,” he said.
ACA adopts new governance model under Mukuhlani
Under Mukuhlani’s leadership, the ACA has already begun implementing administrative reforms, including a newly adopted memorandum of incorporation aimed at enhancing governance, transparency, and operational capacity.
The restructuring effort is intended to support African cricket’s long-term growth, aligning the ACA with international standards while fostering deeper collaboration between Full Members like South Africa and Zimbabwe and emerging Associate nations.
Mukuhlani brings stability, experience from Zimbabwe Cricket
Mukuhlani, who has led Zimbabwe Cricket since 2015, brings considerable administrative experience to his new continental role. His tenure has included difficult chapters — such as an ICC suspension over government interference and financial challenges — but has also seen notable progress.
Under his stewardship, ZC has returned to financial stability, reintegrated its women’s team into the ICC Future Tours Programme, and secured the hosting rights for two key ICC tournaments: the 2026 Men’s U19 World Cup and the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, both to be co-hosted with Namibia and South Africa.
Mukuhlani also sits on the ICC’s finance and commercial affairs committee, giving him a significant voice in global cricket’s financial and commercial strategy — a background that could benefit ACA’s broader ambitions across the African continent.
