Philemon Jmangaya
Yadah FC is making a splash in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League by signing big-name players in an effort to improve the league’s profile and attract more fans to the stadiums.
Their latest marquee signing is Khama Billiat, a former Warriors (Zimbabwe national team) attacker, who has played professionally in Belgium and South Africa. Billiat joins Yadah after the club outbid Dynamos and Manica Diamonds for his signature.
Walter Magaya, the club owner isn't stopping there. He is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with another former Warriors star, Ovidy Karuru, who is currently clubless.
Magaya’s motivation is clear: to reignite the passion for the PSL among Zimbabwean fans. He believes that bringing back big-name players will entice supporters to return to the stadiums, which have seen dwindling attendance in recent years.
Yadah’s recent signings haven’t come cheap. Billiat signed a one-year US$50 000 deal that also includes a luxury vehicle and other benefits.
“The biggest ambition is just to bring back joy in the PSL,” Magaya said at Billiat’s unveiling at Yadah’s home stadium, Heart Stadium. “We believe that we should bring a bit of leadership and bring back people to support soccer; that is our main aim. That is why there is the Heart Stadium. The look is not basically on Yadah, but on the joy that should be found in the PSL. That is what we are aiming to bring that excitement back to football.”
He continued: “If you see how people were attending football matches last year, it was not encouraging. We believe that bringing back these heroes of football may bring back the supporters to the stadiums. That is our prayer and our aim.”
Magaya’s efforts are not isolated. The return of another former Warriors star, Kuda Mahachi, who joined Manica Diamonds after a stint in Ghana, is another sign that Zimbabwean football is attempting to recapture its past glory.
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