Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
PROPHETIC Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader and Premiership outfit, Yadah FC proprietor, Walter Magaya, has earned the respect and admiration of key stakeholders from the Eastern Region, who believe he could be what the doctor has prescribed for the ZIFA presidency.
The Eastern Region believes the clergyman is the panacea to eradicating never-ending administrative boobs and corrupt tendencies at ZIFA.
Prior to the inaugural Heart Women Soccer League Tournament final, Mutare-based former ZIFA Women Soccer League board member, Cecilia Gambe made a passionate plea, asking Magaya to take over the reins at ZIFA.
In recent weeks, there have been growing calls for Magaya to throw his hat into the race for the ZIFA presidency.
The latest football constituency to add its voice to the growing calls was the Women Soccer League, which pleaded with him to step into the race following the successful hosting of the inaugural Heart Women Soccer Tournament.
As Magaya weighs his options ahead of the expected announcement of his final decision this month (October), Post Sport can reveal that Magaya’s candidature is being backed by many in the Eastern Region, including sitting councillors, who are tasked with the responsibility to cast the ballot during the elections.
The Eastern Region is one of the country’s four football regions that also include Southern, Northern and Central regions, from which the bulk of the councillors, who will eventually cast their votes in electing the ZIFA president, are drawn from.
Key stakeholders of the game of football in the region this week opened up to Post Sport in what they unanimously believe “is the right path for domestic football development”.
Former Dongo FC chairman, and Tenax FC executive committee member, Keneth Muchina said there is no doubt that Magaya has a strong passion for the game of football.
Muchina said given the numerous cases of corruption and theft of funds meant for the development of the game and players, unaccounted for, Magaya will be the saviour for the game.
“Being a football person through and through, Walter Magaya, in my opinion is not a bad candidate for the ZIFA presidency. He is one person who will be coming into the administration of the game at national level, not for the money.
“Having been in the trenches funding his beloved Yadah FC, and now also sponsoring the Women Premier League, and also recently having built a state-of-the-art The Heart Stadium, we could give him a chance in ZIFA structures.
“Maybe a mixture with several former players and administrators under him, might bring a new dawn to our football. We have had numerous cases of corruption and theft of resources meant for the development of the game as well as for the players, and Magaya will come in as a solution,” said Muchina.
Maverick football administrator, Gambe, who has gone through first-hand experience with the help that Magaya has rendered to football during her days at the helm of Mighty Warriors administration, said there is no better candidate than Magaya.
“When I look at the list on names that are being thrown around, I see no one who can do better than Magaya. Without underestimating other candidate’s abilities, comparing them with Magaya will be a waste of time. Experience for me in any particular field carries the day. The ball is in the councillors’ court to vote for the be best candidate. I just hope sanity will prevail,” she said.
A well-known ZIFA councillor and club administrator, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of breaching protocol, said what Magaya has done for football speaks for itself.
“I think it is a good move for the development of our soccer, especially when you consider what he has done as an individual to develop soccer in Zimbabwe. He has the passion for the sport, and given the opportunity to lead at national level, I see him taking Zimbabwe to a higher level,” he said.
Apart from the well-known initiatives that he undertook to develop the game – construction of The Heart Stadium, financing Yadah FC and bankrolling the Heart Women Soccer League Tournament, Magaya demonstrated a rare dedication to sports development by funding grassroots football tourneys in Chitungwiza.
In 2005 to 2008, Magaya served as technical director and sports administrator at AGS Chitungwiza FC.
In 2008, he became an IT administrator for Gunners Football Club.
In 2009, Gunners Football Club made history by winning the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, while Magaya was the IT administrator.
In 2010, Gunners Football Club went on to take part in the esteemed CAF Champions League in Africa, with Magaya as a member of its administration.
To sum up it all, on June 29, 2024, a quote about Magaya from Willard Katsande, former Gunners, Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder – goes: “His passion to make Zimbabwe football better has been praiseworthy, something I saw during the days I worked with him at Gunners. He was a key figure when Gunners won the championship in 2009.”