Wicknell Chivayo Rescues Highlanders FC from FIFA ...

Wicknell Chivayo Rescues Highlanders FC from FIFA Sanctions

Gilbert Munetsi

Zim Now Writer

Businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo has stepped in to rescue Highlanders Football Club from a financial crisis by pledging to settle the club’s outstanding debt to its former coach, Brazilian Baltemar Brito.

The debt, which had been taken to FIFA as a labour dispute over unpaid salaries, had put the Bulawayo-based club at risk of sanctions.

Brito and his assistant, Antonio Joao Torres, are jointly owed US$27,000. Chivayo, a self-proclaimed ardent supporter of Highlanders, announced his commitment to paying the debt via his social media platforms.

“Bosso ngenkani! Iteam yezwe lonke. Babethi ayibulawe, ayisoze ibulawe sikhona. I will gladly pay this outstanding debt directly to the former coach tomorrow without fail. Someone please inbox and share the banking details with the exact amount due asap,” Chivayo posted.

The club had been given a 45-day deadline to settle the debt, failing which FIFA imposed sanctions that barred them from registering new players. This came at a critical time when Highlanders had already lost several key players, leaving newly appointed coach Kelvin Kaindu facing a tough rebuilding task.

Notable departures from the squad include Lynoth Chikuhwa, Godfrey Makaruse, Peter Muduhwa, and Marvelous Chigumira, exacerbating the club’s struggles ahead of the new season.

This is not the first time Chivayo has stepped in to assist Highlanders during challenging times. In 2017, he paid a fine imposed on the club by the Premier Soccer League after crowd violence at Barbourfields Stadium led to the abandonment of their match against Dynamos.

Highlanders were found guilty of causing the disruption, fined $4,000, and had the match awarded to Dynamos with a 3-0 scoreline.

Beyond Highlanders, Chivayo has been involved in various football-related initiatives, including providing financial and material support to PSL new side Scotland FC. However, his involvement in football has not been without controversy. Some critics have raised concerns about his influence on teams and Zimbabwean football governance, with allegations that he attempted to sway the Zimbabwe Football Association elections through financial means.

For Highlanders, Chivayo’s intervention offers a crucial reprieve at a time of uncertainty. The club, one of Zimbabwe’s most storied football institutions, can now focus on rebuilding ahead of the new season, provided the financial hurdles are cleared. And whether this latest act of generousity cements Chivayo’s legacy as a football benefactor or invites further scrutiny remains to be seen.