Clinton Matiza’s story is one of resilience, passion, and an unyielding love for football. From humble beginnings, playing barefoot in the dusty streets of Mbare to now one of Zimbabwe’s top performance analysts.
His journey is truly remarkable.
He recently joined Tanzanian top-flight side Tabora United alongside compatriot Genesis Mangombe, the head coach.
Humble Beginnings in Mbare
Matiza’s football journey began long before primary school. Growing up in Mbare, a suburb renowned for its vibrant football culture, he honed his skills playing in the streets with friends.
“My journey into football started when I was very young,” Matiza recalls.
“I am certain, even before I started primary school, I was already playing in the streets of Mbare.”
His talent didn’t go unnoticed.
During his primary years at Nettleton Primary School, Matiza’s skills earned him a scholarship to Churchill Boys High, a prestigious institution known for nurturing young talent.
However, his parents declined the offer, and he instead attended Allan Wilson Boys High.
It was during his high school years that Matiza’s passion for the game deepened.
The Turning Point: Highfield and Caps United
In 2006, Matiza moved to Highfield, another football hotbed in Harare. Here, his talent caught the eye of Onias Kadewere, who invited him to join his academy.
“I was noticed playing in the streets by Mr. Kadewere,” Matiza says.
“He asked me to join his academy, where I later played with Tino (Kadewere), who was about four years younger than me but was good enough to play in the same team.”
Two years later, Matiza’s career took a significant leap when he was scouted by Josephat Rwafa from CAPS United.
He joined Caps United and continued to develop his skills while completing his A-levels.
A Shift to Performance Analysis
While Matiza’s playing career showed promise, his path took a different turn in 2012. Wilson Mtekede, then at Twalumba FC, introduced him to performance analysis.
“He would give me a piece of paper, a pen, and tell me where to sit during matches to collect data on both teams,” Matiza recalls.
Though he didn’t pursue playing or analysis at the time, this experience planted the seeds for his future career.
Matiza went on to earn an honors degree in business management and a Master’s degree in strategic management and corporate governance from Midlands State University. However, his love for football never waned.
In 2019, while pursuing his Master’s, he began taking football tactical analysis diplomas, reigniting his passion for the game.
The Breakthrough: Black Rhinos and Chicken Inn
Matiza’s big break came in 2023 when he was appointed head of performance analysis at Black Rhinos under coach Saul Chaminuka.
“Mr. Chaminuka was keen on developing me beyond being an analyst but to be a coach,” Matiza says.
“We shared a lot of football knowledge, and I acquired a lot from him during the six months we worked together.”
Later that year, Matiza moved to Chicken Inn in Bulawayo, where he worked under experienced coaches like Joey Antipas and Farai Tawachera.
This experience broadened his perspective on football and further solidified his coaching ambitions.

Dynamos FC: A Career-Defining Move
In early 2024, Matiza joined Dynamos FC, the country’s most successful club, as part of Genesis Mangombe’s technical team.
The move proved to be a turning point in his career. “The pressure at Dynamos is overwhelming,” Matiza admits.
“A draw is not acceptable, and it gives you sleepless nights. But it helped us grow.”
Under Mangombe’s mentorship, Matiza thrived, helping Dynamos win the Independence Challenge Cup in 2024.
The duo then moved to Scottland, where they achieved promotion to the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League (ZPSL) after an impressive run of 15 wins, 3 draws, and no losses in 18 games.
The Tanzanian Dream: Tabora United
Matiza’s success at Dynamos and Scottland caught the attention of Tabora United, one of Tanzania’s most ambitious top-flight clubs.
Recently, he joined the club as part of the technical team, reuniting with Mangombe.
“This move to Tanzania will help us both improve our capabilities in the coaching field,” Matiza says.
“I have ambitions to be a head coach someday, and I believe this is the right environment to learn and grow.”
Matiza acknowledges that his relationship with Mangombe has helped him grow his football knowledge immensely.
“Every time we are together, day or night, we discuss football tactics, read literature, and watch videos,” he says. “It’s a good relationship we have.”
A Vision for the Future
Matiza’s journey is far from over. Currently halfway through earning his CAF C coaching diploma with the Tanzania Football Federation, he remains focused on his goal of becoming an elite coach.
“I am goal-driven and want to grow into an elite coach in the near future,” he says. “I want to be in an environment where I can learn while working.” As Matiza navigates his coaching badges, it’s evident that he is someone to watch in the future of football coaching.